A MAN who pleaded guilty to driving when the amount of cannabis in his blood exceeded the limit had been recovering from a long jail sentence, a court has heard.

Gerald Deaffern, 55, had been in solitary confinement “and struggled when released to deal with the effects, and has been taking cannabis oil,” explained defence solicitor Alex Fitzgerald at Llandudno court.

He was now awaiting being referred to psychiatric services.

Deaffern, of Abergele Road, Colwyn Bay, who also admitted having no insurance, was fined £350 with £117 costs .

He was also banned from the road for 15 months.

“He genuinely believed he was insured,” said Mr Fitzgerald.

James Neary, prosecuting, said he’d been stopped on the A55 at Bodelwyddan in November for having no insurance and cannabis had been found to be in his system.

District Judge Gwyn Jones told Deaffern : “You have had the good sense to enter a timely guilty plea.”