Motoring offender disqualified after being caught over the limit for drugs and booze in South Yorkshire

Sheffield Magistrates’ Court heard on October 5 how Tomasz Zemla, aged 43, of Cope Street, Barnsley, was caught in charge of a vehicle on Eldon Street North, Barnsley, with a cannabis derivative in his system.

Charlotte Hanson, prosecuting, told how police spotted Zemla on October 27, 2019, driving without all his fog lights on and he was stopped and they could smell cannabis.

Ms Hanson said: “The officer noticed a smell of cannabis coming from the vehicle and a roadside drug-swipe was conducted and showed a positive for cannabis.”

She added on March 15, 2020, officers also attended a collision on Old Wortley Road, Rotherham, and found Zemla in a vehicle which had reversed into a lamp post and he smelled of intoxicants.

Zemla, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to being in charge of a vehicle when the proportion of a cannabis derivative in his system exceed the specified limit from October, 2019, and he admitted exceeding the alcohol drink-drive limit from March, 2020.

Zemla said: “I have had a driving licence for 26 years and have never been convicted and have never had charges regarding drugs or alcohol. These two offences are isolated cases.”

He expressed remorse and that he regretted the incidents and they would not happen again.

Magistrates fined Zemla £500 and he must pay £50 costs and a £50 victim surcharge. He was banned from driving for 20 months.

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