A MOTORIST who was found taking drugs behind the wheel of a car has been banned.

Anton Thomson-Dean was stopped by police at a petrol station in Dyke Road in Brighton when people had seen him with a friend taking cannabis in the car.

The floor-laying supervisor, who currently works on a project at Oxford University, admitted two charges of being in charge of a vehicle while unfit through drugs at Brighton Magistrates' Court yesterday.

He tested positive for cannabis and cocaine in his system, but said he has not taken cocaine for three years, and claimed it was instead from taking co-codamol.

The 32-year-old, of Priory Street in Dover, also admitted possessing £30 worth of cannabis, driving without a valid licence or valid insurance.

Suzanne Soros, said people had seen him "taking drugs" in the car, and when police arrived it "smelled of cannabis".

When they arrived, he was sat in the driving seat and the key was in the ignition at the petrol station, she said.

Jen Law, defending, said Thomson-Dean was remorseful, and accepts a driving ban will affect his work.

Initially magistrates banned him for 18 months before realising they had followed the wrong sentencing guidelines, and called for him to be brought back to court.

Magistrate John Stambridge told him it was his "lucky day" and changed the ban to six months.

Thomson-Dean was fined £270 and order to pay £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.