A DRUG-DRIVER has been captured on police bodycam – so out of it he struggled to speak during the arrest.
Officers received reports of a car being driven erratically and found Jack Brownless, 39, stopped at a nearby crossroads.
Brownless had swerved across the A39 and hit a wall before concerned members of the public called police.
Body worn footage from the police shows an impaired Brownless struggling to understand basic questions, such as when he lad last anything to eat or drink.
Police said at that moment it was clear he was “heavily” under the influence of drink or drugs, was slurring, and seemed confused.
An officer can also be heard asking if he is apply to do a road side test to which he remained in silence.
Brownless was handed a 26-week suspended prison sentence and banned from driving for five years at a hearing at Yeovil Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
He pleaded guilty to drug-driving and possessing cannabis and ketamine.
Brownless, from Hazelbury Bryan in Dorset, was also ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and made subject to a rehabilitation activity requirement.
Brownless was arrested after swerving his silver Mercedes B-Class across the A39 near Wells, Somerset on August 22.
He hit a wall and drove off when another driver tried to help him.
Police later found him stopped at the Green Ore Crossroads, just outside Wells.
After Brownless’ arrest, officers found several small snap bags of white powder on the driver’s seat and in cup holders.
The driver’s door pocket contained a small set of scales with powder on them, and a tobacco pouch full of cannabis was found in the centre console.
PC Sam Colebrook, officer in the case, said: “We received several calls from concerned members of the public after Brownless was seen driving in an erratic manner on the A39, and when we spoke to him it was clear he was heavily under the influence of drink or drugs, was slurring, and seemed confused.
“He tested positive for cannabis at the roadside and within the vehicle, several small bags of ketamine and cannabis were found, and it’s quite clear we are fortunate this incident did not end in serious injury, or worse.
“We want to remind people there is no safe way to drink and drug and drive, there is no excuse to take the risk, and we continue to urge the public to help us take dangerous drivers off the road before it’s too late, as this case demonstrates.”
