Somerset drug-driver sent straight to prison

A man has been sent to prison after being caught drug driving in Somerset. James Andrew Cummings was found under the influence of Benzoylecgonine, the major metabolite of cocaine, while driving in Street without a driving licence.

The details of people recently convicted at Taunton Magistrates’ Court can be seen below. Magistrates’ courts deals with more than 90 per cent of criminal cases.

These cases include low-level offences, predominantly motoring charges. The details published below are from the official court register.

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James Andrew Cummings, 45, of Holloway Street, Exeter, Devon, was previously convicted of the charges of, on September 3 2022 at Gravenchon Way, Street:

• Driving when the proportion of a controlled drug, namely Benzoylecgonine, in his blood exceeded the specified limit
• Driving without a licence

Cummings was committed to prison for 12 weeks, disqualified from driving for three years and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £154 and £80 costs.

Paulo Roberto Carreira, 53, of Leycroft Grove, Taunton, was proved guilty of the charges of:

• On February 14 2022 at the A3259 in Monkton Heathfield, driving at 27mph, a speed exceeding 20mph
• On March 12 2022 at the M5, driving at 85mph, a speed exceeding 70mph

Carreira was disqualified from driving for 21 days, fined a total of £80, and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £34.

A parent from Bridgwater was proved guilty of the charge of, between November 11 2021 and December 9 2022 at Bridgwater, being the parent of a child who was registered at a school and failed to attend that school regularly. The parent was fined £440 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £44 and £120 costs. The identity of the parent has not been disclosed to protect the identity of the child.

Adam Rigby, 45, of Stanmoor Road, Athelney, pleaded guilty to the charge of, on August 5 2022 at the M5, driving at 81mph, a speed exceeding 70mph. Rigby was given three driving points, fined £192 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £77 and £85 costs.

Mark Barrow, 46, of Lyngford Square, Taunton, pleaded guilty to the charge of, between April 9 2020 and March 3 2022 at Taunton, dishonestly failing to promptly notify the Department for Work and Pensions of a change in circumstances which he knew would affect his entitlement to Employment Support Allowance. A community order was made, including alcohol rehabilitation treatment, and Barrow was fined £120 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £90.

Dave Birt, 42, of Love Lane, Burnham-on-Sea, was proved guilty of the charges of, on April 202 2022 at North Avenue, Highbridge:

• Driving a motor vehicle while not wearing a seatbelt
• Driving a motor vehicle while using a hand-held mobile telephone

Birt was disqualified from driving for six months, fined a total of £250 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £34 and £90 costs.

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