AN Ellesmere Port motorist who stopped after being involved in a minor road traffic collision at a Chester roundabout had ketamine in his system.

Lee Sanderson Jones, 29, of Seymour Drive, had lost his job as a car salesman as a result of the offence, Chester Magistrates Court heard on Friday, June 21.

He pleaded guilty to driving while unfit through drugs and was banned from driving for 12 months.

Prosecuting, Alan Currums said it was at 9.40pm on March 22 when Jones, driving a Peugeot 208 Index, had been involved in the minor collision on Liverpool Road.

Police were informed and checks were carried out on both drivers, with Jones giving a negative breath test for alcohol.

Burt officers suspected Jones was under the influence of drugs and he gave a positive reading, was arrested, and taken into custody where a blood sample showed he had 60 microgrammes of ketamine per litre of blood, the legal limit being 20.

Defending, Richard Sibeon said Jones had no previous convictions.

The incident had occurred late in the day, after Jones had been out the night before and had taken the ketamine.

He had been to the gym before getting behind the wheel and believed he was fit to drive.

He felt there had been minor contact and initially continued in the direction of the Countess of Chester Hospital before turning around to go back to the scene.

He had been honest with his employers and cannot work with them without the ability to drive.

Magistrates handed Jones a 12-month driving ban and fined him £120, plus £85 court costs and a £30 victim surcharge.