A TAXI driver has lost his licence after admitting drugs driving.

Azhar Hussain’s taxi collided with a police car, he was unsteady on his feet and he also fell over, heard Skipton Magistrates Court today (Friday).

Police officers were speaking to Hussain in his taxi which was parked in Steeton Grove, Steeton at just after midnight on June 25, when the vehicle moved forward into the police car.

Hussain, 40, was asked to get out of his taxi, he was unsteady on his feet, and fell over, said prosecutor, Martin Butterworth.

Hussain failed a drugs impairment test and a blood sample later revealed he had 2.5 microgrammes of the cannabis by product, Delta 9 Tetrahydrocannabinol in one litre of blood, the specified limit is 2 microgrammes.

The taxi driver, who admitted drugs driving and was of previous good character, had acted completely out of character, the court was told.

In mitigation, Gulfraz Khan said Hussain had diabetes and was very tired at the time. He had been suspended following the incident, would now lose his licence as a taxi driver, and would have to find alternative work. He pointed out there had only been a slight scratch to the police car and there had been no claim for compensation.

Hussain, of Westview Grove, Keighley, was banned from driving for 12 months, fined £120 and ordered to pay costs of £85 and surcharge of £30.