A learner motorcyclist has been banned from the roads before he even passed his test after he smoked cannabis and took a friend for a ride on his bike.
Thomas Jones, who only held a provisional licence, was caught by police travelling along Middle Engine Lane, in Wallsend, while over the drug-drive limit and carrying a passenger.
A court was told that officers smelled cannabis as soon as they pulled the 24-year-old over, after their attention was initially drawn to him as he wasn't displaying 'L' plates.
He failed a roadside drugs test and was arrested.
Now, Jones of Hillheads Road, Whitley Bay, has been fined and banned from the roads for 12 months after he admitted one count of driving while over the drug limit and one of driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.
Lorna Rimell, prosecuting at North Tyneside Magistrates' Court, said officers first spotted Jones with a passenger riding pillion on his motorcycle at around 8.30pm on August 10 last year.
Checks confirmed that the owner of the bike only held a provisional licence, so 'L'plates should have been displayed.
Ms Rimell said: "A provisional licence holder also shouldn't be carrying a pillion passenger. The defendant is stopped and officers can smell a strong odour of cannabis.
"He's given a roadside drugs test, which is positive."
Jonathan Cousins, defending, said Jones wasn't planning on using the bike again as he'd got a job at a 5-star hotel in Switzerland.
He told magistrates: "He's 24 and has no previous convictions. There is no evidence of sub-standard driving."
As well as the ban, Jones was also fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £32 victim surcharge
