John Samuel, caught driving while banned, faces extended suspension until September 2027 and must pay £85 court costs.
His license was due back in February 2027. He broke his ban, so the date is moved. Cops found a little cannabis resin with him. This happened while he was driving illegally.
Samuel went to court that Friday, February 7th. He admitted to having drugs and driving without a license. The prosecutor said he drove to get medicine because his child was sick.
The prosecutor stated officers saw him on January 22nd. He drove a silver Audi. They knew he was banned from driving and thought he might be dealing drugs, too. He stopped at his house, and officers searched him, finding a small amount of cannabis.
His lawyer, Sandeep Kaushal, spoke for him. Kaushal said Samuel cares for four kids, and one child has a health problem. Samuel took his partner’s car because he needed medicine for his sick child. Kaushal said Samuel gets Universal Credit and also has anxiety and depression. The cannabis was a small amount worth less than five pounds.
Last October, he was convicted of drug driving after testing positive for cannabis and cocaine. He got a 12-month order with 200 hours of work. The probation service said he barely did any work and still had almost all the hours to complete.
The court gave Samuel another 12-month order. He must pay £85 court costs and £114. They extended his driving ban six more months, meaning he can drive again in September 2027.
The judge, Carolyn Clifton, spoke to Samuel, stating that driving was not smart. He got a longer ban because of it. He still needs to do his unpaid work. If he drives again and gets caught, he could go to jail.