A man who was caught drug driving on the A350 has been handed a lengthy disqualification.

Louis Clifford, 26, of Harewood Road, Bristol, pleaded guilty to drug driving at Salisbury Magistrates' Court on Friday, September 13.

The court heard how in the early hours of March 18, a Roads Policing Officer was on duty in a marked police car when he saw Clifford driving a Mercedes C250 southbound on the A350 towards Chippenham.

He believed the driver to be under the influence and stopped the vehicle.

Clifford appeared to be agitated and aggressive and a roadside drug wipe test showed cocaine in his system.

The 26 year old was then arrested on suspicion of drug driving and taken to Gablecross police station in Swindon.  

PC Luke Hobbs said: “Drug driving is one of the fatal five offences – if you commit any of these offences you are significantly increasing your risk of being involved in a serious or fatal collision.

“Our Roads Policing Unit is committed to targeting individuals who commit offences on our roads in order to protect innocent law abiding road users from harm.

“I am pleased Clifford has been given a lengthy driving ban. If you are aware of somebody drink or drug driving, please report it immediately, and if you are aware of somebody who has been disqualified but is continuing to drive, please let us know as soon as possible.”

Clifford was disqualified from driving for three years, fined £276 and ordered to pay a £110 surcharge and £85 costs.