A CHARITY worker pulled over by police in the early hours of the morning was found to be over the limit for cocaine and cannabis.

Blackburn magistrates heard Ellise May Matthews had taken over the driving when her friend, who owned the car, became unwell.

Matthews, 28, of Hertford Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to driving while over the limit for both drugs, driving other than in accordance with a licence and without insurance.

She was fined £200 with £85 costs and banned from driving for three years.

Peter Bardsley, prosecuting, said police responding to a report of erratic driving stopped Matthews in a car park in Clayton-le-Woods at 1.30am on June 19 last year. She failed a roadside swipe test and a blood sample revealed the presence of the drugs.

Paulo Passerini, defending, said his client worked for a charity teaching children in other countries to speak English.

She had been working in Thailand and was home on holiday catching up with family and friends at the time of the offence.

“She was out with a friend in her car and when she felt unwell my client took over the driving,” said Mr Passerini.

“She believed she had a full driving licence but it appears it was revoked while abroad.”