A MAN has been banned from the road after being caught drug driving THREE times in a week.

Gultekin Gurdeniz was caught with a small amount of cannabis and was over the limit for cannabis and cocaine when he was pulled over on the A12 on December 28.

Just a week earlier, Gurdeniz was arrested for driving while under the influence of drugs, after he hit a stationary car in Thorpe High Street, on December 22.

Although a roadside drug test proved negative following the crash, a sample of blood revealed a reading of 6.3mcgs of cannabis in his blood. The legal limit, set to take into account passive or accidental intake is 2mcgs.

On December 28, he had 4.4 mcgs of cannabis in his blood as well as 68mcgs of cocaine. The legal limit is 50.

Gurdeniz had been travelling from Enfield to Frinton regularly to visit his new partner, Colchester magistrates heard.

On December 30 he was again caught drug driving, this time in London.

He appeared at the City of London Magistrates’ Court on Friday and was given a 12-month driving ban.

Gareth Hunter, mitigating, said a cocktail of prescription drugs had been used and said Gurdeniz had suffered from the break-up of a 17-year-relationship.

He said: “He has suffered from depression and he is on a heavy amount of legal drugs.

“He has found himself self-medicating to a large extent and it is clear this does not work for him.”

Gurdeniz, 49, of Enfield, admitted two counts of driving a vehicle while unfit through drugs and a single count of possession of cannabis, at Colchester Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

He was banned from driving for 24 two years, ordered to complete 100 hours community service, pay £85 costs and £85 victim surcharge.

Magistrate Alix Mason said: “You have committed three offences within a week which included serious impairment.

“Impaired driving on the A12 could have been catastrophic, to you and other drivers.

“You will have to complete 100 hours of community service but this could have been more.”