South Yorkshire drug-driver caught after police smelled cannabis

Sheffield Magistrates’ Court heard on July 14 how Zayne Asif, aged 22, of Balmer Rise, Bramley, Rotherham, was seen driving an Audi S3 Quattro and stopped by police on Wellgate, in Rotherham.

Chantel Lowery-Green, prosecuting, said police pulled the defendant over and he failed a roadside drugs test after officers had smelled cannabis coming from his vehicle.

Asif pleaded guilty to driving when the proportion of the cannabis derivative Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in his blood exceeded the specified limit for driving after the incident, which happened on September 14, 2020.

Zahid Majeed, defending, said Asif had not been stopped by police due to the manner of his driving but it is accepted that the officers had good reason to stop him and that he cooperated with police after being pulled over.

A small amount of cannabis was found in the car by police after Asif and a passenger had been smoking the class B drug, according to Mr Majeed.

Mr Majeed said: “He understands the decision he made in that vehicle with his friend was a stupid one and it is one he thoroughly regrets.”

The court heard that Asif, who has responsibilities as a husband and a father, expresses genuine remorse for his actions that day.

Magistrates fined Asif £250 and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £34 victim surcharge. Asif was also disqualified from driving for 12 months.