A MAN who lost both legs in a car accident two years ago has been banned from the roads after admitting drug driving.

Dan Elsworthy, of Wimborne Road, Bournemouth, tested positive for cannabis and cocaine after being pulled over by Dorset Police earlier this year.

On Friday Poole Magistrates’ Court was told his levels of Benzoylecgonine, a cocaine derivative, were TWENTY times the specified limit.

Elsworthy, a double amputee, told his solicitor he uses illegal drugs - including cannabis oil - to help with his pain.

He pleaded guilty to three charges of drug driving.

The 27-year-old was pulled over by Dorset Police in the early hours of April 25, this year, after he was spotted driving in his Ford Kuga along Heron Court Road, Bournemouth, at excessive speed. He failed a roadside drugs test.

Later readings showed he had more than 1,000 micrograms of the cocaine derivative, Benzoylecgonine, per litre of his blood. The legal limit is 50 micrograms.

Cannabis and cocaine readings also tested over the specified legal amounts.

Prosecuting, Richard Oakley, said the Benzoylecgonine reading was “excessively high.”

However, defending, Debbie Scudamore said her client – who still takes regular morphine pain medication following his accident two years ago – also uses cannabis oil at weekends for the pain.

“Along with the morphine this is why he believes the reading was so high,” said Miss Scudamore.

She also explained: “He has to have ongoing therapy at Salisbury Hospital and is on a concoction of drugs to manage his pain.

“Before his tragic accident he was working as a cable layer, but since the accident he has been unable to work.

“Cannabis oil is a way of him escaping from the position he finds himself in.

“This was not intentional, he believed the oil was out of his system.”

Elsworthy was banned from driving for three years, fined £105 and ordered to pay a £30 victim surcharge and £105 costs.