A LEARNER driver blamed off-road tyres for the manner of his riding when he was pulled over on his motorcycle, a court has heard.

Brett Andrew Cullum admitted drug-driving when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford on January 20.

Prosecutor Ralph Robyns Landricombe said police had been heading towards Clehonger on the A465 at around 2pm on September 12 when they saw a Yamaha bike travelling in the opposite direction.

Officers decided to follow the bike due to the manner in which it was being ridden, before pulling Cullum over in Madley.

Cullum, who told the officers that the off-road tyres fitted to his bike had made handling difficult, was arrested after failing a roadside drug test. An evidential test in custody revealed he had 3.8 microgrammes of cannabis metabolite delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol per litre of blood. The legal limit is two.

FROM THE COURTS:

Michael Horne, for Cullum, said the 19-year-old was suffering from anxiety and depression and used his bike to travel to work.

"He was having tests to see how far along on the scale he is for Asperger's, but he found this very stressful and could not carry on with it," Mr Horne said.

"He tells me he uses cannabis to help with his mental health, but he never uses it when he knows he will be going on the road, and he says he used it the day before. He is sorry and he has shown remorse.

The court heard Cullum, of Farringdon Avenue, Belmont is due to start a new job closer to home at an engineering business in Rotherwas.

Cullum was disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined £120. He must also pay costs of £135 and a £34 victim surcharge.