Driving after using cocaine has cost a 42-year-old motorist a £1,000 fine and two-year driving ban.

Michael Bamidele Ahmadu admitted being over the limit for benzoylecgonine, which is a metabolite of the class A drug.

The court heard that police were on patrol on Peel Road in Douglas, on April 1, when they saw the defendant driving a Vauxhall Vivaro van.

He was said to be looking down at his lap, so officers pulled him over.

They reported a smell of cannabis, and a drug wipe test proved positive for cannabis and cocaine.

A blood sample was taken at police headquarters, and sent to the UK for analysis.

This later produced a reading of 240 for benzoylecgonine, which has a legal limit of 50, and 12.6 for cannabis, which has a limit of two.

Ahmadu initially also pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of cannabis, but then mentioned in court that he had a prescription for medicinal cannabis, and had not produced it to the police.

This was looked into, and upon review, the prosecution withdrew that charge.

Defence advocate Andrew Baker asked for credit to be given for his client’s guilty plea.

Mr Baker said that it had been an isolated incident, and Ahmadu had never been a regular cocaine user.

The advocate said that there had been no suggestion of any impaired driving.

Mr Baker asked the court to deal with the offence by way of a financial penalty, but said that the defendant was unemployed and currently looking for work.

Deputy High Bailiff Rachael Braidwood also ordered Ahmadu, of Clifton Terrace, Douglas, to take an extended driving test after his ban ends, and to pay £125 prosecution costs.

He will pay at a rate of £10 per week, deducted from benefits.