A COUNTY painter and decorator has been banned from the road after he was caught driving with drugs in his system.

Ryan Ferguson, 25, was pulled over by police officers after they became concerned about the manner of his driving in Tranent.

The officers were in a marked vehicle and followed Ferguson’s grey Transit van from the town’s Bridge Street to Caponhall Road, where they stopped him.

And while speaking to the tradesman, officers became concerned at his demeanour and he was asked to take a roadside breath test at about 8.15pm on December 13 last year.

He gave a negative reading but, following a subsequent drug test a positive reading was returned, and he was taken to St Leonard’s Police Station in Edinburgh.

It was found that Ferguson, of Musselburgh, had 200mg of Benzoyleconine per one litre of blood in his system and he was arrested and charged. The legal driving limit for the drug is 50mg.

Ferguson pleaded guilty to the offence during an appearance at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last Wednesday.

Solicitor Mary Moultrie said that her client had no previous convictions and he was hoping to keep his full-time job despite any driving ban being imposed.

Ms Moultrie added that Ferguson had sought help for his drug taking and was attending appointments with the drug agency MELD.

Sheriff Kenneth Campbell noted Ferguson’s early plea and that he was a first offender.

The sheriff added: “I am also encouraged to know you are taking steps to address your drug use.”

Ferguson was banned from driving for two years and ordered to pay a total fine of £220.

Ferguson pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle with 200mg of Benzoyleconine in his system at Caponhall Road, Tranent, on December 13 last year.