A MAN who smoked cannabis to make the world a quieter place has been banned from the roads.
Grant Davies admitted drug-driving when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford on December 2.
Prosecutor Ralph Robyns Landricombe told the court that Davies had been stopped by police, who believed he was speeding, in his Renault Laguna in Hampton Park Road on July 7.
The 46-year-old was asked to take a roadside drug test, and was arrested after it returned a positive result for cannabis.
An evidential blood test in custody revealed Davies had 10 microgrammes of cannabis metabolite delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol per litre of blood. The legal limit is two.
Edmund Middleton, for Davies, said no action had been taken against him for his speed.
"He presents as a vulnerable person, and this is because he suffers from catastrophic hyperacusis disorder," Mr Middleton said.
"This came from having his ears syringed in 2008 and makes the world a very loud place for him."
The court heard Davies takes medication but has been unable to work since 2008 as a result of the disorder.
"He says the noise is ever-present, and medications manage some of the symptoms, but they do not help when it is aggravated," Mr Middleton said.
"He had been forced to mow his ex-wife's lawn the previous day, which he said caused him torment, and he smoked the cannabis to alleviate this. He then drove the next morning to get food so he could take his medications that day. He did not believe he would be over the limit."
Davies, of Nevinson Place, Hereford, was disqualified from driving for 12 months, fined £120, and must pay a £34 victim surcharge. No costs order was made due to a lack of means.
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