A Special Constable’s quick actions in Heybridge have resulted in a disqualified drug driver being further banned from driving for three years.

SC Keith Smith spotted a Daihatsu Four Trak swerving in Cedar Chase at around 9.40am on Thursday, September 14, last year and signalled it to stop.

The driver, Mark Smith, 51, of Broadlands Avenue, Hockley, was subject to a roadside drug wipe which indicated traces of cocaine being present in the drivers saliva resulting in Mark Smith being arrested.

SC Smith later established that Mark Smith was also a disqualified driver with no insurance in place for the vehicle.

He appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, January 18, where he admitted drug driving, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

He was jailed for eight weeks, suspended for 12 months, ordered to complete rehabilitation activity requirement for 20 days and 100 hours unpaid work and will pay £115 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

Matt Hine, of the Essex Police’s Casualty Reduction Section, said: “Special Constable Smith’s training was put into practice when he spotted a vehicle swerving in the road.

“He quickly stopped the vehicle and established the driver, Mark Smith, had previously been disqualified.

“Mark Smith clearly showed no regard to the sentence handed to him when he was initially disqualified, instead he continued to drive whilst disqualified with no insurance and while under the influence of cocaine.

"Thanks to SC Smith’s actions, he has been banned further from driving on our roads and will find himself in prison if he reoffends again.”

The force is recruiting special constables, to find out more visit www.essex.police.uk/join-the-police/special-constabulary.