Aspiring King’s Lynn athlete Matas Smelstorius caught drug-driving on A10

An aspiring athlete has been fined after being caught drug-driving along the A10.

Matas Smelstorius, 20, of Monkton Way in Fairstead, was pulled over for a routine document check at South Runcton on September 5 last year.

He informed officers he had used cannabis a week earlier - but a roadside drug wipe soon proved positive.

He was arrested, and while in custody he provided an evidential sample of 6.9mcg of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol - the main psychoactive ingredient in the Class B drug - per litre of blood.

The legal limit to drive is 2mcg.

Smelstorius appeared at Lynn Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, where he pleaded guilty to drug-driving.

Mitigating, duty solicitor George Sorrell pointed out that Smelstorius was of previous good character.

“I would like to stress, as you have heard from the prosecutor, that there was nothing wrong with his driving,” he said.

“He was very polite and courteous - helpful, honest - and he has been like that this morning.”

Mr Sorrell told the court that Smelstorius is an aspiring athlete, and moved to England from Lithuania to carry out his studies.

“Unfortunately, last September he fell out with his girlfriend - and that caused him some upset,” the solicitor added.

“He thought he would get some sort of comfort in cannabis, but it didn’t really work - and it has resulted in him losing his licence.”

Magistrates disqualified Smelstorius from driving for 12 months, while he will also pay an £80 fine, £32 victim surcharge and £85 in court costs.