A BMW driver who was pulled over and found to have cannabis on him was also over the drink-drive limit and had only a provisional licence to drive the car.

Luke Akehurst was stopped while driving in Deanwood Drive, Parkwood, Rainham and when police spoke to him they could smell alcohol on his breath and he told them he had some cannabis in the car.

He was arrested and given a breath test and gave a reading of 59 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Further checks revealed the 30-year-old had only a provisional licence and so was not insured to drive the BMW.

Akehurst, of Castlemaine Avenue, Gillingham, was charged with possession of cannabis, drink driving, driving without insurance and driving without a licence.

He appeared at Medway Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, March 29 and admitted all four charges.

James Nichols, prosecuting, told the court Akehurst was pulled over at about 11pm on Saturday, February 4.

Alan Balneaves, defending, told the court his client had wanted to take his driving test but during the Covid pandemic his test dates kept being put back.

Mr Balneaves added: "He was not far from where he lives (when he was pulled over)."

Magistrates banned Akehurst from driving for 14 months and fined him £385 for the drink-driving offence.

He was also fined £256 for the cannabis offence and £256 for having no insurance.

Akehurst received no separate penalty for having no licence and if he completes a drink-driving course, his ban will be reduced by a quarter.

Magistrates ordered the cannabis be destroyed.