Elgin man given driving ban after being caught on drugs behind the wheel twice in six months

AN ELGIN man who was caught driving while on drugs twice in the space of six months has been banned from getting behind the wheel for four years.

Christopher Knowles, of Kingsmills, was caught by police while driving a Vauxhall Corsa erratically in Lesmurdie, Elgin, on November 7, 2021, at 11.40pm.

A test later showed that he had 82 microgrammes of benzoylecgonine per litre of blood in his system, exceeding the limit of 50 mcg.

On April 24, at around 1.40am, police patrolling Forres High Street were flagged down by a civilian and found Knowles in a car.

Elgin Sheriff Court was told on Thursday, September 29, that he had "heavy jaw movements" and that his eyes were "wide open".

Knowles was taken to Inverness Police Station, but refused to provide a specimen of blood or take a breath test, saying "I have a nurse getting my blood soon so you won't be getting my blood".

He added: "I don't give blood to police who talk s****."

Solicitor Stephen Carty said that Knowles may appear erratic to someone who does not know him, but that he accepted his attitude to being asked to undertake a test was incorrect.

He said that Knowles had no previous road traffic matters on his record.

Knowles, who is in receipt of benefits, was fined a total of £1400 and was banned from driving for a combined four years for the two incidents.