A WINCHESTER man has been banned from the road after pleading guilty to driving under the influence of drugs.

Sean Palmer, 32, of Honeysuckle Close, was caught driving on the M3 near Fleet on Saturday, April 27 with a high amount of THC – a breakdown product of cannabis - in his system, a court heard.

Palmer underwent a blood test, returning a result of 9.8 micrograms of the drug per litre of blood, exceeding the legal limit of 2 microgrammes per litre of blood.

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Appearing at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, November 12, Palmer pleaded guilty to the charge.

He has been banned from the road for 12 months, and must pay a fine of £120 as well as a victim surcharge of £48 and £85 costs.

The total amount of £253 must be paid in full by December 10.