A MOTHER from Maldon was fined nearly £1,000 after she claimed she did not know drugs were still in her system.
Constance Beardmore was on her way to get food when she was stopped in her Suzuki Swift in Rydal Drive on December 12 last year.
The 38-year-old was stopped by police officers who believed she was driving at excess speed.
Lina Begum, prosecuting, told the court the officers spoke to Beardmore and conducted a roadside drug swipe test, which came back positive for cocaine.
Miss Begum said: “She was taken into custody and provided a blood sample, which showed 312 micrograms of benzoylecgonine per one litre of blood, a break down product of cocaine.”
Bob Bodede, mitigating, said the defendant was not speeding when she was stopped.
He confirmed Beardmore admitted to having taken drugs two days prior to the incident.
He said: “She told me if she had known there were drugs in her system, she would not have driven.”
Beardmore, of Courtland Place, appeared worried as she awaited her sentence at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
She was fined £625 by the magistrates and will have to pay £250 as a surcharge and £85 in costs to the court.
The court also ordered a 12-month disqualification from driving.
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