Ashleigh Tummey, 37, was stopped by police while driving a Mercedes on Adderlane Road in Prudhoe, Northumberland, on January 16 this year. Officers noticed her speeding and a faulty rear brake light. Upon speaking to her, they detected a smell of cannabis and conducted a roadside drug swipe, which she failed.
Drug Test Results
At Newcastle Magistrates' Court, District Judge Kate Meek outlined the case. Tummey later gave blood tests showing 479mcg of BZE (a cocaine breakdown product) per litre of blood, against a legal limit of 50mcg; 15mcg of cocaine per litre, against a limit of 10mcg; and 2.8mcg of cannabis per litre, against a limit of 2mcg. She admitted taking cocaine a few days prior and smoking cannabis earlier that day.
Previous Disqualification and Mitigation
The court heard Tummey had previously been disqualified from driving due to penalty points. Her defence solicitor, Andy O'Hanlon, said she suffered from mental health issues and post-traumatic stress disorder, and had recently completed a debt relief programme through the Citizens Advice Bureau.
Sentence
Tummey pleaded guilty to three counts of driving over the specified drugs limit. She was banned from driving for 30 months, given a 12-month community order, fined £150, and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.
