A NORTHWICH man has been banned from driving after taking cannabis and being caught behind the wheel almost three times the drug limit.

Calab Groves, of Rowan Road, Cuddington, was travelling in a Ford Fiesta along London Road, in Northwich, when he was caught on January 17 earlier this year.

A subsequent blood test revealed the 27-year-old had 5.5μg/L of Delta-9-tetrahydocannabinol in his system.

The legal limit for this component of cannabis is 2μg/L.

Groves was also found in possession of a quantity of cannabis when he was stopped.

He was charged with drug-driving, driving without insurance, driving otherwise in accordance with a licence and possession of a class B drug. Groves pleaded guilty to these offences on June 26.

Appearing in the dock at Warrington Magistrates Court for sentencing on July 30, Groves was handed a 12-month community order.

As part of the order, he must complete 120 hours of unpaid work and up to 25 days of rehabilitation activity.

Magistrates also disqualified Groves from driving for three years, extending the interim ban imposed on June 26. 

An order was also made for forfeiture and destruction of the cannabis and grinder seized, with the bench also imposing a £40 fine. 

Groves must also pay court costs of £85 and a surcharge of £114.