A man who thought he was doing the right thing by driving his girlfriend home while under the influence of drugs and without a licence or insurance has been sentenced. 

Andrew Macdonald, 35, of Manchester Road, pleaded guilty to all three offences at Swindon Magistrates Court on November 5.

Mr Ballinger, prosecuting, told the court that Macdonald was seen driving past police officers in Swindon town centre on April 26 and drew their attention as he appeared to look away quickly.

Officers stopped Macdonald around the Park Lane area and checks on the Vauxhall Corsa revealed it was insured to a female – his partner – and Macdonald confessed he did not have a driver’s licence and had smoked cannabis an hour before being pulled over.

Flash Sale!🌟

Get closer to Swindon's stories with The Swindon Advertiser

Unlimited local news, an ad-free app, and a digital replica of our print edition—all with 80% fewer ads.

Subscribe now for a seamless news experience - https://t.co/ayrpkI4RBy#StayInformed pic.twitter.com/0RPJk3hDqF

In mitigation, Mr Hotson, defending, said Macdonald had never been convicted of drink or drug driving offences before and held an expired provisional licence.

He suggested that Macdonald's decision to drive was a "misguided attempt" at trying to do the right thing, by offering to drive his girlfriend home after she had been out drinking.

Mr Hotson added that Macdonald came to this decision “foolishly” as he did not fully understand the drug driving limit.

Officers at the scene found his partner to be below the legal drink driving limit, so she could have driven back and the situation could have been avoided altogether.

The Magistrate told Macdonald: “Unfortunately there’s pretty much a zero tolerance to drugs and driving.”

He was disqualified for 14 months and ordered to pay an £80 fine, £32 surcharge and £40 prosecution costs, totalling £152.

Help support trusted local news

Sign up for a digital subscription now: https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/subscribe/

As a digital subscriber, you will get:            

  • Unlimited access to the Swindon Advertiser website        
  • Advert-light access             
  • Reader rewards             
  • Full access to our app