Executive, 21, avoids driving ban when police smelled cannabis in her car after arguing she had not smoked the drug for days
A 21-year-old executive arrested after police smelt cannabis coming from her Audi has been spared a driving ban after arguing she had not smoked the drug for days.Business development administrator Morgan Steadman-Dempsey, 21, tested three and a half times the drug driving limit after the passing patrolman detected 'a strong smell of cannabis' and approached her A1 vehicle as she was parked up with three of her friends.But when quizzed about the reading, Streadman-Dempsey said she had not smoked cannabis since attending New Year's events around a week earlier - and he did not think she was unfit to drive.She claimed she had no idea traces of the drug would still be in her system.At Tameside magistrates court, Steadman-Dempsey who lives in the Openshaw district of Manchester, faced a road ban after she admitted being in charge of a vehicle when over the limit for cannabis. Business development administrator Morgan Steadman-Dempsey, 21, tested three and a half times the drug driving limit Due to the impending court case she had to leave her former job, and was give 10 points on her licence by a judgeBut instead of a ban she was given 10 points on her driving licence.The incident occurred at 6.40pm on January 8 when Steadman-Dempsey was out with friends in the Mossley area.Miss Emilee Creasey, prosecuting, said: 'The circumstances were that officers saw the defendant in a vehicle, with the vehicle running. They approached the vehicle and the officers smelt a strong smell of cannabis. There were three passengers in the vehicle.'The defendant was asked to provide a drug wipe which tested positive for cannabis. She has then been arrested and taken into custody where she was required to provide a blood sample. She has no previous convictions.'A subsequent blood test showed Styeadman-Dempsey had 7 micrograms of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) per litre of blood. THC is the principal active ingredient in cannabis and the legal limit when behind the wheel is 2 mg/l.In mitigation defence solicitor Jennifer Clarke, said: 'Miss Steadman-Dempsey is a lady of previous good character. She comes to court today having cooperated with police at the scene and she has entered a guilty plea today.'She has been extremely anxious waiting to see if there would be any prosecution proceedings against her. 'The vehicle at the time was her vehicle. She was stationary at the time she had been stopped by police.'She accepted still being in charge of the vehicle at the time. She stressed she had not known that she would have been over the limit for the cannabis found in her system. The date of the offence was January 8. Steadman-Dempsey did not know she could still be over the limit for the drug, her lawyer said'She recognises she was using cannabis over the New Year period and accepts that it was still in her system. Read More Moment drug dealer stopped by police demands 'put it back, man' as they find huge machete in coat 'In her personal statement, she outlines feeling extremely ashamed coming to court. She is extremely remorseful and apologetic.'It has been a learning experience for her. She has sold the vehicle since that time.'The solicitor added: 'There are two character references. During the commission of this offence she was in a role where she drove for work purposes. 'She has had to give up that job by mutual agreement, knowing that these proceedings were imminent.'She is now in a new job, in a managerial role.'Steadman-Dempsey was also fined £369 and ordered to pay £233 in costs and victim surcharge. Despite being spared a ban, being a new driver means she may have licence revoked anyway and she would have to take her driving test again.She is now employed by a health and safety training provider. Sentencing Steadman-Dempsey, JP Pauline Taylor said the magistrates recognised the offence was 'out of character' but warned her: 'People do not generally realise how long the drug can stay in your system and could impair your judgement. We need to keep people safe and road users safe.'
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Executive, 21, avoids driving ban when police smelled cannabis in her car after arguing she had not smoked the drug for days
