(Image: Newsquest)
A Darlington man has been banned from driving after being caught with cocaine and its breakdown product in his system.
Paul Johnston, 45, of Howick Close, Darlington, appeared at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on August 14.
He pleaded guilty to two counts of driving a motor vehicle with a proportion of specified controlled drugs above the legal limit.
The offences took place on Northgate, Darlington, on December 28, 2025, when Johnston was found to have 314 micrograms per litre of benzoylecgonine (a cocaine breakdown product) and at least 19 micrograms per litre of cocaine in his blood - both above the lawful limit.
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Johnston received an obligatory 12-month driving disqualification for each offence.
He was fined £400, ordered to pay £85 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service, and a £160 victim services surcharge.
According to court documents, Johnston’s fine will be paid in £100 monthly instalments, beginning September 11.