A cannabis user caught riding his moped while under the influence of the drug says he was forced to quit his job after realising he would lose his licence.

Billy Cafolla told magistrates he had “let himself go” from the role after telling his employers he was going to be prosecuted for drug-driving and possession of the Class B substance.

The 23-year-old had been found with one gram of cannabis after being pulled over by police in Harvest Road, Tonbridge, on February 7 this year.

He failed a roadside swab test and was arrested on suspicion of drug-driving and possession of a Class B drug.

He pleaded guilty to both offences when he appeared before magistrates in Sevenoaks on August 23.

The court was told blood tests revealed Caffolla had 4.8 milligrams of THC - a compound of cannabis - per 100ml of blood in his system after he was pulled over. The legal limit is two.

James Nichols, prosecuting, said: “He was stopped on his moped and admitted he had the drug on him. It was seized and blood tests showed he was over the limit.

“He’s of previous good character.”

Defending himself, Cafolla told the court he had been going through a difficult time.

He added: “I do use [cannabis] for personal use and I’ve had a couple of problems.

“It’s for recreational purposes and I use it to get to sleep. I had a joint on me.

“If I lose my licence I can’t get to work.

“I spoke to them and I let myself go [from the job], and now I am on Universal Credit.

“I didn’t want to (claim), but I am struggling to find work.”

Magistrates told Cafolla, of Tweed Road, Tonbridge, to seek help to kick his drug habit.

He was banned from driving for a year and fined £120 for the drug-driving offence.

He was also fined £80 for drugs possession and told to pay a victim surcharge of £80 and £85 court costs.

Magistrates made an order that the cannabis be destroyed.