A dad seen on CCTV taking cocaine has been hauled before the courts after breaching a driving ban.

KentOnline previously reported how camera operators spotted Charlie Atkin taking the Class A drug and showing a “white substance” to a friend outside the Walmer Castle pub in Deal on March 3, last year.

Police pulled over the father of two’s Mercedes in The Strand, Deal, when he was found to be over the limit for both alcohol and cocaine.

Officers found a three-inch lock knife when they searched the 35-year-old’s car and several wraps of cocaine.

Atkin, then of Mill Hill, was charged and, in the subsequent September, admitted possession of cocaine, possession of a bladed article, drink-driving and drug-driving at Folkestone Magistrate’s Court.

At the time, the court was told Atkin had been spotted taking cocaine and showing a “white substance” to a friend outside the Walmer Castle.

On his arrest, he told officers he had just bought cocaine and was found to have six packets weighing a combined 3.51 grams.

The bricklayer also had a quantity of cash, and tests showed he had 45 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of his breath - the legal limit is 35.

He also had 78 micrograms of cocaine by-product benzoylecgonine in 100ml of blood in his system - the legal limit is 50.

At the time, sentencing was adjourned to allow probation reports to be carried out on him, but because he pleaded guilty, he was placed on an interim driving ban then.

He returned to hear his fate on October 15 and was placed on a high-level community order and banned from driving for 32 months.

But between being given the interim ban and his sentencing date, he was caught behind the wheel again.

Atkin, now of no fixed address, was pulled over in London Road, Sholden, on October 8, last year, while at the wheel of a white Peugeot and was later charged with driving while disqualified and without insurance.

He was hauled before Folkestone Magistrates Court on March 21, after being arrested the day before when a warrant was issued for his arrest after he failed to show up for his hearing on March 20.

During his time in the dock, he admitted both offences.

Neil Sweeney, prosecuting, said: “He was disqualified after being given an interim ban in September last year over a matter of Class A.

“He was then banned when he was sentenced and is disqualified until June 14, next year.

“He was seen driving on October 8, after the interim ban was given, he was stopped, and this was shortly after the interim ban was imposed.”

The court also heard the self-employed builder, who earns £600 a week, had been arrested the day before and hauled before the court.

Magistrates heard he did not know about the court summons he was sent on March 20 as he had moved.

He was arrested by officers the day before as he left a probation appointment which had been held in the building attached to Folkestone Magistrates’ Court.

Magistrates were also told Atkin had been in emotional turmoil at the time of the offence after a former relationship came to an end.

The court heard he had become upset about not seeing his children but agreed he should not have behaved the way he did.

It was also said he had only driven a short distance that day while taking his new girlfriend to work.

The bench was also told he was no longer going out drinking every night, as he no longer found it fun.

Magistrates placed Atkin on another community order for driving while disqualified as they heard he had been complying with the Probation Service on his other order.

They placed him on a 12-month order which will see him complete 80 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £114 and £85 court costs.

He will pay what he owes the court at a rate of £30 a month.

Atkin was also banned from driving for a further six months starting from the day his first ban ends.

He received no separate penalty for the no insurance offence, but his licence will be endorsed.