A TOOTHILL man who has failed his driving theory test nine times will now need to wait a year to get behind the wheel.

Lewis George, 26, was given a 12 month driving ban by magistrates after he was caught drug driving by police last February.

The Deerhurst Way man also admitted driving without insurance or a licence.

George looked downcast as he appeared in the dock at Swindon Magistrates’ Court. Defending, Paul Gilmarton said: “This defendant has been desperate to pass his test. He’s taken his theory test nine times – and failed.”

Magistrates’ heard George had borrowed a car to visit a friend. He was spotted by PC Trafford driving home on Great Western Way in the early hours of February 10, 2018, and seen getting out of the car near his then home. There was no suggestion the car was being driven badly. However, police suspected him of having taken illegal drugs. Tests showed he had twice the legal limit of tetrahydrocannabinol in his system.

He was fined £300 and ordered to pay £115 in costs and surcharge.