A heroin user was disqualified from driving and received a curfew after drug and driving offences in Axminster.

A ‘LONG-TERM’ heroin user was banned from driving for 20 months and given a curfew for possessing class A and C drugs and driving whilst unfit in Axminster.

Andrew Robert Pring, 56, of The Square in Yeovil, who appeared at Central Devon Magistrates Court last Tuesday (May 10), pleaded guilty to possessing class A and C drugs and driving a vehicle whilst unfit through drugs.

The court heard that police received calls from members of the public, on January 18, concerning a vehicle on a road close to Raymonds Hill on the A35 in Axminster.

Pring was tested for being under the influence of drink or drugs after his Ford S-Max car was found on the outside verge of the road, which had been severly damage and resulted in minor damage to a telegraph pole.

The 56-year-old was given a road side breath test, which gave a negative reading, however police noted that he appeared sleepy and was struggling to stay awake at the scene.

During a search police discovered a pink tub containing three wraps of heroin, and a plastic tub containing tablets of Diazapam and a further wrap of heroin.

A bag of miscellaneous drug paraphernalia was also found.

Police were unable to take samples from Pring due to severe vein damage so a urine sample was taken, which came back positive for amphetamines, benzodiazepines, cannabinoids and opiates.

During an interview he stated that he had hired the vehicle and the incident was caused as a result of slipping on leaves.

He identified the drugs and Valium located, which he had admitted buying for �100 in Bristol, but said he could not say how long ago this was.

Rachel Bentley defending, described Pring as a long-term user of heroin and told the court the diazepam was intended to help bring his heroin use down.

She also told the court he was currently undergoing medical tests for underlying problems, which may have played a part in the incident.

Pring was disqualified from driving for 20 months and had his licence revoked.

The Magistrates also imposed a curfew for four weeks, which will be active from 7pm until 7am, and ordered the destruction of the drugs seized.