A DRUG driver who was pulled over when military police officers smelled cannabis was later found to be behind the wheel while high on cocaine.

Joshua Buckley was driving his Volkswagen Polo along Hamlet Drive, Colchester, when Royal Military Police officers on patrol signalled for him to stop.

Andrew Young, prosecuting at Colchester Magistrates’ Court, said: “There was a smell of cannabis coming from the vehicle so for that reason he was tested and failed a drug wipe procedure.

“His blood was taken, though the officer made a mistake over how much blood was taken, meaning they couldn’t test for cannabis derivatives. They could test for cocaine and he was found to be over the limit.”

Buckley, 23, of Dixon Avenue, Clacton, was described as a man of previous good character aside from one relevant previous caution for possession of cocaine.

He was found to have 40mg of cocaine per litre of blood - four times the legal limit.

The legal limit is set to account for accidental exposure.

When asked if he had anything to say for himself, Buckley replied: “Just that I regret it.”

Magistrates banned Buckley from driving for 12 months and ordered him to pay £255 in fines and court costs.