A TEENAGER was arrested only by chance for drug driving after police pulled him over for having a light bulb out on his car.

Jake Roberts, 19, of Butts Road, Chiseldon, was stopped by police on Drakes Way at around 10.30pm on April 23. The officers on duty were carrying out a road safety operation when they spotted the defective light on the vehicle that Roberts was driving.

The labourer, who works for a family business and is training to be a tiler, appeared before magistrates sitting in Swindon on Wednesday where he pleaded guilty to driving while under the influence of drugs.

Pauline Lambert, prosecuting, told the court: "Officers have got a huge road safety operation where they are stopping vehicles and carrying out checks.

"They stopped him for a defected headlight. When they spoke to Mr Roberts they could smell cannabis.

"They carried out a test and blood was taken for toxicology and it read 7.4, which is above the limit of two.

"Mr Roberts comes before you of previous good character."

The legal limit of two microgrammes exists to eliminate the possibility that a defendant could have inhaled the substance through passive smoking.

Gordon Hotson, defending, said: "He was fully cooperative at all times with the police.

"I would ask you to take note of the fact that Mr Roberts was not stopped by police because of criticism of his driving. He had a bulb out and was not driving dangerously. He has a clean licence.

"He had not used cannabis that night but the night before. Since then he has not used it at all.

"He better understands how long cannabis stays in the system.

"He is an insomnia sufferer and it helped him sleep. This is the first time he has been arrested.

"He is a young man who has learnt his lesson, a young man trying to make headway in making a career."

Chairman of the bench June May told him that he would be banned from driving on public roads for the offence. She said: "We are not going to preach but cannabis is an illegal drug. Therefore we will be disqualifying you from driving for 12 months."

Roberts was also given a fine of £250 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £30 and Crown Prosecution Service costs of £85.