A WINCHESTER man has narrowly avoided a jail sentence after he was caught drug driving.

Magistrates said they considered immediately jailing Daniel James Marriott because of his "previous record and character".

Marriott, 33, of Taplings Road, Weeke, was stopped by the police in Helston in Cornwall on January 15.

He was driving a silver 51-reg VW Golf. When tested he returned a reading for cannabis of 3.3ug/l when the legal limit is 2ug/l. He admitted the charge.

Portsmouth Magistrates Court on July 21 jailed him for 14 weeks suspended for 12 months. The magistrates told him they could suspend the sentence due to the prospect of rehabilitation and effect custodial sentence would have on defendant's family member. No further detail was given on the court record.

Marriott must undertake 120 hours unpaid work over the next 12 months participating in any rehabilitation activity requirement up to a maximum of 15 days.

He was banned from driving for three years from May 12.

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