Reading Magistrates' Court: Cold Ash drug-driver in plea change
A TEENAGER about to go on trial for drug-driving had a last minute change of mind.
At a previous hearing at Reading Magistrates' Court, Louis Antell had denied getting behind the wheel with a mixture of two illegal drugs in his system.
But on Monday, November 21, just before his trial, the 18-year-old, of The Ridge, Cold Ash, changed his plea to guilty on both counts.
Specifically, Mr Antell admitted driving a Toyota Prius on Burys Bank Road, Greenham, on Sunday, January 23, when the proportion of a metabolite of the Class A-controlled drug cocaine in his system exceeded the specified limit.
He further admitted driving when the amount of the Class B-controlled drug cannabis in his system exceeded the specified limit on the same occasion.
District judge Kathryn Verghis made Mr Antell subject to a 12-month community order and required to complete 150 hours of unpaid community work.
In addition, he was ordered to pay £1,500 costs, plus a statutory victim services surcharge of £95.
Finally, Mr Antell was banned from driving for 20 months.