Hendon man banned from driving after being caught under the influence of cocaine in Mowbray Road

A man from Hendon has been disqualified from driving after being caught behind the wheel under the influence of drugs during a routine police stop.

Ryan Graham, 34, of Villette Road, Hendon, was stopped by officers at around 2:30am on Mowbray Road on July 21. A blood test later confirmed the presence of BZE, a metabolite of cocaine, at levels far exceeding the legal limit.

South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard Graham had no previous convictions for similar offences, though he does have a criminal record. He pleaded guilty to drug driving, with his blood test revealing a BZE reading over 800mcg—well above the legal limit of 50mcg.

His defence solicitor, David Forrester, noted that Graham had not been driving erratically and was stopped at random. He said Graham struggles with anxiety and depression and had not been taking prescribed medication, instead self-medicating.

Magistrates handed down a 12-month driving ban, a £120 fine, £85 in court costs, and a £48 victim surcharge. The court was also told Graham is repaying £1,358 in outstanding court fines through deductions from his benefits.