Brian Edward King of Fitzroy Avenue, a disqualified driver, was caught behind the wheel with cannabis in his system on October 21 last year.

At the time of the offence King was serving a five years’ driving suspension, for being a habitual offender, due to expire during August 2021.

At court, Magistrate Peter Dare imposed a further two-and-a-half years’ suspension and ordered King to enter a section nine bond to be of good behaviour for 12 months.

According to a police statement, King was recognised driving a Ford Falcon sedan about 1.45pm on October 21.

The car was stopped in Darling Street and checks confirmed King’s licence was disqualified until August 4, 2021. 

He was subject to a random breath test which was negative but a test of his oral fluid returned a positive detection to cannabis.

He was arrested and taken to Cowra Police Station for the purpose of a secondary test that also detected the illicit substance.

A sample tested at the NSW Forensic Analytical Science Service at Lidcombe confirmed King had cannabis in his system at the time of the offence.

King told police he hadn’t used since August, the statement said.

“The court has extended leniency previously,” King’s solicitor Mr Cefuents said at court.

“With respect to the driving with an illicit drug in his system, it had been some time since he used.

“He accepts there was drugs in his system.

“He is aware he is facing a substantial disqualification period.”

Magistrate Dare said his “hands are tied” and warned King to stop offending.

“The fact is he did it, and he has pleaded,” Magistrate Dare said before convicting King.

“[the suspensions] piggy backs one after another.

“It is reaching the stage you might go out the side door. That would be terrible.”