A man previously convicted of drug-driving has been caught behind the wheel despite a 28-month driving ban, leading to an extended disqualification until late 2027. John Samuel, who had originally been due to regain his licence in February 2027, was stopped by police while driving an Audi in Earl Shilton.
Samuel had been disqualified after being found driving under the influence of cannabis and cocaine last year. However, on January 22, he was spotted by officers on Keats Lane, Earl Shilton, who were aware of his recent disqualification and suspected his involvement in drug supply. When police followed him home and conducted a search, they found a small amount of cannabis resin in his possession.
Appearing before Leicester Magistrates’ Court on Friday, February 7, Samuel pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and possessing a Class B drug. Prosecutor Ravinder Daroch explained that Samuel had been driving to the shops to buy medicine for his sick child.
Defence solicitor Sandeep Kaushal stated that Samuel, who shares care responsibilities for his four children, took his partner’s car to obtain medication. Mr. Kaushal noted that his client suffers from anxiety and depression and that the cannabis found was for personal use, valued at less than £5.
This incident follows Samuel’s October conviction for drug-driving, which resulted in a 12-month community order and 200 hours of unpaid work. The Probation Service informed the court that he had made “limited progress,” with only half an hour of work completed.
For his latest offences, Samuel received another 12-month community order, was ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £114 victim surcharge, and had his driving ban extended by six months. He will now be unable to drive legally until September 2027.
Addressing Samuel, magistrates’ bench chairman Carolyn Clifton warned: “Whatever the reason, it was not a sensible thing to do because you’ve now got a further punishment and disqualification. You still need to complete the 200 hours of unpaid work. Next time, if you’re unwise enough to do it again and get caught, you could potentially go to prison.”
