A HOMELESS man was caught driving in the Eden Valley without a licence and after taking cocaine, as he travelled to stay with a friend for the night.

Cameron Lester, 23, appeared in court for the first time in his life after being stopped by police in the early hours of October 28 last year.

Carlisle magistrates were told that police stopped a Volkswagen Polo in the Orton village area at around 1.20am.

Lester was the driver. “He stated he did not have a driving licence or any insurance,” said prosecutor George Shelley.

A roadside drug wipe test proved positive for cocaine and Lester was arrested. An evidential blood sample later showed the level of a breakdown product of the class A drug in his system was above the legal driving limit.

In court Lester pleaded guilty to three charges: drug-driving, no insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Mitigation was provided by defence solicitor Steven Marsh. He told the court that Lester had previously lived just outside Appleby but found himself without a fixed address after a relationship breakdown.

“He was sofa-surfing, as he describes it, with friends,” said Mr Marsh. “That night he was on his way to stay with a friend nearby for the evening.

“Clearly he has taken some drugs. He said it was at least 24 hours before driving. He says he didn’t realise it would still be in his system at the time that he drove.

“Clearly he shouldn’t have been driving in these circumstances, with no insurance.”

Lester, of Blackpool Road, Lytham St Annes, had latterly moved to Lancashire. He had stopped taking drugs and, said Mr Marsh, had “changed things considerably for the better”.

Magistrates imposed a £415 fine and banned Lester from driving for 12 months.