A MOTORIST caught drug driving twice in one week has been banned from the roads for 18 months.

As reported in the Daily Echo, a warrant was issued for the arrest of Steven Hicks after the father-of-two failed to appear for a sentencing hearing at Poole Magistrates' Court earlier this month.

Hicks, 37, finally came before the court on Thursday morning.

It was heard that the defendant, of Priory Road in West Moors, was first stopped behind the wheel of a black Mercedes Vito in Stanfield Road, Poole on Saturday, May 12. His speech was slurred, and officers decided to carry out a roadside drugs test.

The test was positive for cocaine, and Hicks was arrested. A blood sample taken in custody revealed he had 22 micrograms of cocaine and more than 200 micrograms of its primary derivative benzoylecgonine per litre of blood. The limits are 10 micrograms and 50 micrograms respectively.

Just days later, on Wednesday, May 16, Hicks was stopped again as he drove the same vehicle in Richmond Park Close, Bournemouth.

Again, officers believed he was under the influence, and Hicks failed a second roadside drugs test. He was arrested, and blood samples taken revealed readings of 40mg of cocaine and 800mg of benzoylecgonine – 16 times the legal limit.

Hicks, who admitted four counts of driving with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the specified limit in August, has now been sentenced to a community order with a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement and 150 hours of unpaid work. In addition, he was ordered to comply with a drug rehabilitation requirement and banned from driving.

Inspector Joe Pardey, of the traffic unit, said: “Anyone driving while under the influence of drugs poses a serious threat to other motorists and members of the public.

“The fact that Hicks was caught twice in such a short period demonstrates the risk he poses to other road users and I am glad that thanks to this sentence he will not be able to get behind the wheel for a considerable period of time.

“As part of our ongoing commitment to ensure the safety of road users in Dorset, our traffic officers and No Excuses team will continue to carry out proactive patrols to target those drivers who are known to pose a significant threat of causing risk or harm to both themselves and others.

“We will also act on any intelligence or information provided to us by members of the public in relation to anyone who is believed to be driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.”

To report a motorist suspected of regularly driving under the influence, contact police via dorset.police.uk or call 101.

If reporting a motorist who is suspected of driving under the influence, call 999.