A craftsman working on the remodelling of Oxford railway station was caught drug driving on Botley Road.

Ford Transit van driver Benjamin Durrant, 28, was pulled over as part of a standard traffic stop on March 30, rather than because of any concerns about his manner of driving.

Oxford Magistrates’ Court was told on Thursday (October 19) that a drugs wipe test showed he had cocaine in his saliva.

Taken to the police station, a blood test later revealed he had benzoylecgonine in his system. The substance is a bye-product, created when the body breaks down cocaine.

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Defending, Charlie Moss said her client had taken the drug in a one-off while on a night out with workmates a few days before he was stopped.

“He has never tried drugs before. This really was a one-off,” the advocate said.

Appearing before the magistrates’ court, Durrant, of Lister Drive, Sheffield, pleaded guilty to a single count of drug driving. He had no previous convictions.

The justices fined him £500, banned him from driving for a year and ordered he pay £285 in court costs and surcharge.