(Image: Newsquest)
A County Durham has been banned from driving for three years after admitting driving with a cocaine by-product in her system without insurance.
Victoria Thompson, 55, of Windsor Drive, South Hetton, appeared at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on August 14.
The court heard that on November 19, 2025, she drove a black Vauxhall Mokka on Moorsley Road, Hetton-le-Hole, with no valid insurance policy in place, as required by law.
Blood tests later showed Benzoylecgonine, a cocaine breakdown product, was present in her blood at more than 800 micrograms per litre - above the legal limit.
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Thompson pleaded guilty to both driving offences on July 9. The court imposed a community order with a requirement for drug rehabilitation and up to 20 days of rehabilitation activity.
She received an obligatory driving ban for three years and was ordered to pay a £114 surcharge, to be recovered from benefits.
No further penalty was given for the insurance offence.