A DRUG driver and a Covid restriction breach were just two of the cases heard by magistrates in recent weeks. 

Here are four cases to be dealt with by magistrates in Chelmsford and Colchester.

  • A DRUG driver who got behind the wheel whilst uninsured has been fined and banned from the roads.

Darren Clarke, 37, drove a Ford Fiesta in Colchester in October last year with benzoylecgonine – a cocaine metabolite – in his system.

A test recorded 494mcg per litre of blood. The legal limit is 50mcg.

At Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on March 15, Clarke, of Mumford Road, West Bergholt, admitted drug driving and driving without insurance.

He was banned from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay a £400 fine, as well as prosecution costs of £105.

  • A MAN who admitted using racially-aggravated words has been ordered to carry out unpaid work.

Stephen Ford, 31, directed the comments towards his victim in Colchester on March 6 last year.

He admitted using racially aggravated words with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on March 15.

Ford, of Monkwick Avenue, Colchester, was sentenced to a community order, with conditions to complete 60 hours of unpaid work and a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

He must pay prosecution costs of £140.

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  • A WOMAN convicted of breaching Covid-19 lockdown restrictions by participating in a gathering of between eight and ten people has been fined £500.

Klarissa Barns, 27, was found to have been a part of the gathering in Colchester in March last year.

Colchester Magistrates’ Court was told police witnessed some people leaving via a backdoor as they arrived at the property.

Barnes, of Hawthorne Avenue, Colchester, was convicted of breaching coronavirus regulations at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on March 15.

She was fined £500 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £620.

  • A TEENAGER has appeared in court charged with carrying out a kidnap and a sexual assault.

James Cole, 18, is alleged to have taken a male complainant against his will in Harwich in March.

Appearing at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on March 11, he faced one charge of kidnap and one charge of assault by penetration.

He was not asked to enter pleas to the charges and was remanded in custody.

Cole, of Shakespeare Road, Colchester, will next appear at Ipswich Crown Court on April 8.