Kirkby HGV driver high on cocaine when he reversed ‘at speed’ into fence

James Spencer was driving his silver BMW backwards down Frederick Street, Mansfield, at 3.30pm on February 7, when he collided with the fence, said prosecutor Becky Allsop.

A witness saw the 52-year-old get out of the car, shaking his head and stumbling, but when he asked him to hand over his keys Spencer refused and drove off.

The witness noticed there were five packets of pills on the passenger seat and Spencer had blue powder on his lips and tongue.

He was described as "unsteady on his feet, drowsy and with dilated pupils" and a blood test revealed he had four times the specified limit for cocaine.

Magistrates heard he was disqualified for 12 months for drink driving in January 2022.

Neil Taylor, mitigating, said Spencer deserved credit for his early guilty plea, only drove a short distance, and told a witness he “just wanted to park up”.

He had taken cocaine the night before and "things got out of hand" but had waited until the afternoon to drive.

Spencer was an HGV driver but is now looking for a new job, Mr Taylor added.

Spencer, of Clumber Street, admitted drug-driving when he appeared at Mansfield Magistrates Court on August 27.

Sentencing was adjourned until Tuesday when he received a 12-month community order with 150 hours of unpaid work and ten rehabilitation sessions.

He was disqualified for four years and ordered to pay a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.