A MOTORIST who tried to claim he was fit to drive after smoking a cannabis joint has lost his court case.

Sean Johnson told Bolton Magistrates' Court that he was capable of driving as he had got behind the wheel of his car an hour and a half after taking the drug on January 29.

Magistrates heard how 23-year-old Johnson was stopped by police who spotted him driving too close to their van on Blackburn Road, Bolton, at 11.45pm.

The roads were covered with snow and PC Ben Doughty said that, because of the conditions, they were moving at 15 to 20mph - but Johnson's Vauxhall Agila was so close that he could only see one of its headlights in his wing mirror.

When PC Doughty and his colleague stopped Johnson's car they could smell cannabis and the driver admitted he had smoked a joint earlier, with a second joint stored in his glove box.

"I clearly smelt cannabis around him and his eyes were quite glazed over," said PC Doughty.

Johnson, of Crompton Way, Bolton, was arrested and subsequently failed two out of four tests conducted by a doctor to assess his fitness to drive.

The defendant alleged he failed the tests, which included touching his nose with his fingers, because he didn't understand the doctor's instructions.

"I felt fine. I had given it enough time (since taking the cannabis) to be able to drive," he said, adding that he was tired because he had been working since 8am.

But magistrates ruled that evidence given by the officers and Dr Chined Uneadi was "credible and concise" and found Johnson guilty of driving a vehicle whilst unfit through drugs.

He was banned from driving for 12 months, fined £370 and ordered to pay £637 in costs and charges.