A WOMAN was caught drug driving almost four times the cannabis limit near her home on the Isle of Wight. 

Carly Clark, of Maxted Close, Cowes, admitted drug driving on August 31, when she appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court on Friday, October 13.

Police stopped the 35-year-old near her home after an eagle-eyed officer saw her drive off without wearing her seatbelt, said Lauren Stone, prosecuting.

Clark failed a roadside drugs test for cannabis and was arrested.

At Newport Police Station, Clark's blood test revealed she had 7.7 microgrammes of cannabis derivative THC in her bloodstream. The legal limit is 2.0. 

Miss Stone said there was no evidence of bad driving by Clark, with no previous convictions to her name.

For Clark, in mitigation, Barry Arnett said his client suffers permanent nerve damage, which causes her chronic pain.

"She did wrong, but it is her three dependent children who will suffer most from their mother not being able to drive," Mr Arnett added. 

"Even with prescribed medication, she is in a lot of pain and used cannabis to help alleviate it."

Magistrates banned Clark, who is unemployed, from driving for 12 months and handed her a fine of £120, with £85 costs and a £48 surcharge.