A DRUG driver who was found to be more than eight times over the limit for a cocaine-related substance claimed his drinks had been spiked while drinking at a friend’s house over the previous two days.

Anthony Paul Sartin was stopped driving in Crewkerne by police who were acting on a tip-off that he may have been involved in a drugs offence.

When he was tested at the roadside he showed positive for cocaine and was arrested, Somerset Magistrates were told.

Sartin, 35, of Macford Court, Axminster, pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle on the B3165 Clapton Road in Crewkerne on March 15, 2018, when the proportion of Benzoylecgonine exceeded the specified limit.

Prosecutor Suzie Butler said that on the day in question the defendant was driving a BMW 3 series on the A30 between Chard and Crewkerne when the police began following him.

“They were acting on information they had received about his possible involvement in a drugs matter and noticed the driving seemed to be erratic,” she said.

“The car swerved in the road and narrowly missed a nearside verge and when it was pulled over in Clapton Road Sartin was the driver and he had two passengers.

“Preliminary tests were carried out and the defendant tested positive for cocaine in his saliva and he was arrested for drug driving.”

He was taken to Bridgwater police station where a blood sample was taken which revealed a reading of 430mcg of Benzoylecgonine per litre of blood when the limit is 50mcg.

Cocaine and ketamine were also found in his blood but were below the limits.

Appearing unrepresented, Sartin said that when he was driving he felt “absolutely normal” but admitted that over the previous two nights he went to a friend’s house and had a few drinks.

“I didn’t feel well the night before and I found out afterwards that there were two other people at the address whose drinks were spiked,” he said.

“I felt sick and went home and it was not until the next day that I spoke to my friend who said two other people’s drinks were spiked with ecstasy the same night.”

He told the magistrates that he had a witness who was prepared to testify in court for a special reasons hearing for him not to be disqualified, but he had now moved to Spain and was unable to attend court.

Sartin was given a 15 month driving ban and fined £600 along with £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.