Philipe Brooks caught with high levels of THC while off duty
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In a recent case that has raised concerns about road safety, Philipe Brooks, a taxi driver from Aviemore, has been banned from driving after being caught drug driving. The incident occurred when police stopped Brooks’ vehicle on Grampian Road, where he was found to have more than three times the legal limit of a cannabis derivative in his system.
Details of the incident
Brooks, 58, appeared at Inverness Sheriff Court to plead guilty to a single charge of drug driving. His solicitor, Shay Treanor, explained that Brooks was not working at the time of the incident, but was instead on his way to do some shopping at Tesco.
The court heard that the police had been on patrol when they noticed Brooks’ taxi operating in the area.
Upon stopping the vehicle, officers requested a roadside drugs wipe test, which returned a positive result. Brooks was subsequently taken to Burnett Road Police Station in Inverness, where further testing revealed a concerning level of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in his blood—7.7 microgrammes per litre, significantly above the legal limit of two microgrammes.
Brooks’ background and previous driving record
Solicitor John MacColl, representing Brooks, highlighted that his client had been a taxi driver for over 12 years and had previously spent 22 years as an international HGV driver. MacColl noted that Brooks had attended a party the night before the incident, where he made the “ill-advised” choice to consume cannabis, including some form of cannabis edible.
Despite the evidence against him, MacColl argued that Brooks found it hard to believe he would have been over the limit. He emphasized that Brooks had a clean driving record and had interacted regularly with police during his years of service as a taxi driver, suggesting that any previous issues would have been flagged earlier.
Legal repercussions and future implications
As a result of his arrest, Brooks has lost his taxi license and is currently not claiming any state benefits. Sheriff David Harvie, who noted a prior similar conviction, has deferred sentencing pending a criminal justice social work report. In the meantime, Brooks has been banned from driving, a decision that underscores the seriousness of drug driving offenses.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with drug use and driving, particularly for those in positions of responsibility such as taxi drivers. The legal system continues to take a firm stance against such behavior to ensure the safety of all road users.
