A ROUTINE stop by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary,  for a problem with the lights on a Renault Clio, led to a delivery driver being disqualified for drug driving — and losing his job.

Harry Mitchell, of St Johns Wood Road, Ryde, admitted drug driving and possession of cannabis.

On July 13, during the early hours of that day, police pulled Mitchell over on Brading Road, Ryde, for having a defective light.

When officers spoke to him, the pupils of  Mitchell's eyes appeared larger than normal and they decided to give him a roadside drugs swipe, which tested positive for cannabis use, said Lauren Stone, prosecuting, at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court.

They also found cannabis during a search.

At Newport Police Station, Michell provided a blood reading of 4.5 ug/L of cannabis derivative THC — more than twice the legal limit.

For Mitchell, Oscar Vincent said: "He used cannabis as a painkiller. He suffers with a crushed disc in his back, which impacted on his work as a delivery driver.

"He had a small amount of cannabis on him in his car, and had used it earlier that day."

Mitchell, with no previous convictions, was banned from driving for a year, with a £120 fine, £85 costs and a £48 surcharge.