A welder who uses cannabis to self-medicate has been handed a lengthy driving ban after getting behind the wheel of his car with the drug in his system.

Thirty-four-year-old Andrew John Armstrong, of Picton Road, Hakin, Milford Haven, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday charged with driving a Alfa Romeo with a quantity of the drug in his blood on October 19 of last year.

Prosecutor Linda Baker told the court that police officers stopped the defendant in his vehicle shortly before 7 pm, on the A477 in Neyland.

“Officers could smell cannabis emanating from the vehicle, and a roadside drugs swipe on the driver proved positive,” she said.

The court heard that Mr. Armstrong had a previous conviction for possession of drugs in November of last year, but that this charge predated that.

Defence solicitor Mike Kelleher told the court that it was a routine stop and that Mr. Armstrong had fully co-operated with police.

“The defendant had a weak back and takes cannabis to alleviate the pain. He is not a drinker. His driving was not impaired at all at the time.

“Unfortunately Mr. Armstrong who works as a welder is about to be laid off tomorrow, but doesn’t know if that’s to do with the current Coranavirus situation,” he added.

Magistrates disqualified Mr. Armstrong from driving for 18 months, and fined him £120 for the offence.

He was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £85 and a £32 victim surcharge.