A man has been given an 18-month driving ban after he was caught driving while under the influence of drugs.

Stephen May was changing lanes on the eastbound A120 in Braintree when his Ford Transit van collided with a moped on July 8 this year.

The rider, a 16-year-old boy from Braintree, was airlifted to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge with internal injuries and a fractured vertebra.

Mr May, a 27-year-old roofer of Anson Way, Braintree, failed a roadside drugs wipe test for cannabis and was arrested.

During police interview, he admitted to having smoked cannabis the previous evening. A blood sample was taken and he was charged with drug-driving under Section 5A of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

He pleaded guilty when he appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on October 21.

As well as the driving ban, he was ordered to pay £40 court costs, a £60 victim surcharge and £150 criminal court costs, and to complete 100 hours unpaid work.

Pc Matt Turner, of Chelmsford Road Policing Unit, said: "The defendant did not show any signs of being under the influence of drugs but the roadside test and blood sample proved otherwise.

"The victim’s injuries were very serious and the long term effect on his life, and in particular his ongoing back injury, are not yet known.

"The consequences of this collision could have been far greater and I would urge all drivers to think twice before getting behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs.

"It can affect your reaction times and awareness, potentially putting your life and those of others at risk.”

Anyone convicted of driving under the influence of drugs can receive a minimum 12-month driving ban, a criminal record, a fine of up to £5,000 or up to six months in prison or both.