Fakenham drug-driver wedged after ignoring road closed sign

A motorist who got his 4x4 wedged between a JCB digger and a telegraph pole after ignoring a road closed sign has been banned from the driving.

Neil Martin Denny was found to have two controlled drugs in his system.

The incident happened on Fakenham Road, Beetley, at 8.20am on August 19 this year.

Police were called to reports of a Suzuki Grand Vitara having crashed into a hedge, Lynn magistrates heard on Monday (Nov 26).

Prosecutor Jane Walker said Denny had driven on to a footpath to get around a road closed sign before becoming stuck.

She said a roadside drug swipe proved positive and Denny admitted having smoked cannabis during the past 24 hours. Evidential tests showed him to be over the drug-drive limit for cannabis and MDMA.

Denny, of Queens Road, Fakenham, pleaded guilty to drug-driving.

Mitigating, Ruth Johnson said her client had come across a situation many drivers have faced – a road closed sign when the road is apparently not closed and he’d decided to ignore it.

She said the 42-year-old father-of-three claimed his actions were among a series of “stupid choices”.

He had not touched drugs for 22 years but had been lured to attend a party and got involved.

“He has demonstrated nothing but remorse,” added Miss Johnson.

Denny was disqualified from driving for 20 months, fined £435 and ordered to pat £85 costs and £43 victim surcharge.