Watlington man 14-times over drug-drive limit on ketamine

A motorist who was more than 14 times the drug-drive limit was found by police hiding under an outside oil tank at home.

Witnesses had earlier seen Nyle Tinworth crash off the road in his VW Golf, before getting out, muttering his first name as he scorned himself and then driving off.

It happened in Watlington Road, Runcton Holme, at 11.30pm on July 3.

Police went to the address of the Golf’s registered owner. The car was there and they noted damage to it and foliage still hanging out of the front grille, Lynn magistrates heard on Monday.

Prosecutor Jane Walker said: “When there was no answer at the door, the perimeter was searched. The defendant was found hiding under an oil tank.”

A breath test and drug wipe proved negative but given how 36-year-old Tinworth was presenting he was arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influence of a substance. An evidential blood test showed he had 286ug/L of ketamine. The legal limit is 20.

Tinworth, of Downham Road, Watlington, pleaded guilty to drug-driving. The court heard that he had previously been banned for drink-driving in 2013.

In mitigation, Alison Muir said her client accepted that he had had a problem with ketamine for three or four years. He had lost his job as head chef of pub in Upwell.

Referring to his future without a driving licence, she added: “As a chef he should be able to live in where he is able to work. He says he’s now clean of ketamine.”

Tinworth was banned from driving for three years. He was also given a 12-month community order for 100 hours’ unpaid work and told to pay £85 victim surcharge.