A MAN who had alcohol and drugs in his system whilst behind the wheel of his Audi has claimed the substances did not affect his ability to drive.

Daniel Boekhoudt denied accusations of drug driving and drink driving after charges were brought against him by police in February.

Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard how officers were concerned by Boekhoudt’s driving when he entered Tollgate roundabout “at an inappropriate speed”.

He was stopped and given a roadside breath test which showed he had 35mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath – the threshold of the legal drink drive limit.

A second breath test at Colchester police station showed 31mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, but police have maintained the alcohol in his system affected his standard of driving.

The prosecution added Boekhoudt’s positive test for cannabis also affected his ability to drive properly.

Anthony McKen, mitigating, said: “The defendant denies that alcohol and cannabis in his system impaired his ability to drive that day.

“To prove the charge there needs to be detailed evidence that his level of driving was impaired.”

Two officers are expected to give evidence in a trial which will be held before magistrates in Colchester next August.

Boekhoudt, 51, of Tollgate Drive, will give evidence at the trial, as will two officers from Essex Police.