A YOUNG woman from a village near Alresford has been disqualified from driving after she was caught at the wheel having taken cocaine.

Olivia Welch, 22, denied two charges of drug driving, for cocaine and BZE, a breakdown product of that drug, a court heard.

David Fosler, prosecuting, told the trial at Aldershot Magistrates Court on Wednesday August 2 that Welch was stopped by the police on Winchester Road roundabout in Basingstoke on October 21 2022.

Welch, of Hussell Lane, Medstead, returned a reading for BZE of 153ug/l when the legal limit is 50, making her three times the limit. For cocaine her level was 23ug/l when the legal limit is 10, meaning she was double the legal maximum.

She was found guilty on both charges and District Judge Tim Pattinson banned her from driving for 12 months.

Welch was fined £400 with a £160 victim surcharge and costs of £620. The penalty of £1,180 must be paid by October 1.