A man who drove on the A14 after taking cocaine and cannabis is today banned from the road.

SUFFOLK: A young man drove on the A14 after taking cocaine, cannabis and drinking alcohol, a court heard.

Paul Pritchard, 21, of Wingfield Meadows, Stonham Aspal, pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle while unfit through drugs when he appeared at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court.

Wayne Ablett, prosecuting, told the court police officers spotted Pritchard's car parked in dangerous position by the side of the A14, close to the junction with the A1156 near Ipswich, on July 14.

Mr Ablett said: “When officers approached the car they spotted two men walking away from it.

“The defendant was sat in the driver's seat in a reclined position, holding the car keys in his hands.

“He (Pritchard) could hardly speak and the officer had to help him out of the car and then stop him from falling over.”

After the officer smelt alcohol on Pritchard's breath, he was breathalysed and found to have consumed a small amount of alcohol.

But a subsequent blood test revealed traces of cannabis and cocaine in Pritchard's bloodstream.

Mr Ablett added: “The defendant said that he felt dizzy and disconnected while driving.

“He then felt the need to pull over after suffering an insect bite.”

Pritchard told the court: “I did take drugs and drive, it was my mistake. I thought it would be ok.

“I started to feel dizzy and that's why I pulled over. I didn't want to continue on the A14.”

Pritchard was fined �220, asked to pay costs of �85 and disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Magistrate Walter Welsh told him: “Do not drive again after taking drugs.”