A man has been charged with drug-driving after being apprehended on the A9 road while in possession of a hallucinogenic substance. Paul Stewart, aged 51, was stopped for a routine police check near North Kessock at approximately 8am on 6 November 2023. Officers suspected that he was under the influence of cannabis during the encounter.
According to Fiscal Depute Anna Boyle, a roadside drug test was administered, confirming the officers’ suspicions. A subsequent search of Stewart’s vehicle revealed an envelope containing a "mushroom substance," later identified as Psilocin, a class A psychedelic compound.
Following the incident, Stewart was taken to the police station where testing revealed that he had 6.8 microgrammes of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) per litre of blood, significantly above the legal limit of two microgrammes. The specific street value of the Psilocin discovered in Stewart's possession was not disclosed.
During proceedings at Inverness Sheriff Court, Stewart admitted to charges of drug-driving and possession of a class A drug. His solicitor, Donna Sievewright, indicated that her client had been grappling with mental health challenges since the death of his mother. She stated that Stewart had been using substances as a form of self-medication prior to the offence. She emphasised that he believed he was fit to drive at the time, recognising it as a "serious error of judgement" on his part.
In response to Stewart’s circumstances, Sheriff David Harvie expressed condolences regarding the loss of Stewart's mother and acknowledged the challenges he faced. The sheriff imposed a 12-month driving disqualification alongside a fine of £320. Stewart was reported to have provided a relative's Elgin address for court correspondence.
This incident underscores ongoing concerns regarding road safety and the implications of drug use while driving, a topic increasingly relevant in contemporary discussions surrounding public health and legal accountability.
Source: Noah Wire Services