Uninsured Chesterfield driver sentenced after trying to buy policy in back of police car – after being stopped by officers and failing drugs test

Officers were on patrol along Grangewood Road in Chesterfield on December 1, when they saw a Ford Focus revving excessively – with an exhaust that made repeated loud popping sounds.

After stopping the car, they noticed the driver, Luke Hobley, smelt strongly of cannabis. Hobley then failed a roadside drugs test.

Further checks showed that he was not insured to drive the car. He said he had bought temporary insurance, but it was later discovered he had in fact purchased the policy after being stopped, while he was sat in the police car.

The 29-year-old, of Hollis Lane, Chesterfield, was subsequently charged with drug driving and using a vehicle without insurance.

He admitted the offences and appeared at Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court on August 28, where he was banned from driving for 22 months and ordered to complete 90 hours of unpaid work. Hobley must also pay costs of £1,201.44 and a victim surcharge of £114.

PC Adam Hardy, who led the investigation, said: “Hobley knew when he got behind the wheel of his car on that day that he didn’t have insurance – and that he was over the limit for drugs.

“He tried his hardest to get away with the insurance offence – but obviously we will always check the start and end dates of insurance policies so there’s no point trying to outsmart our officers – it just won’t work.

“Not only was he not insured for the road, Hobley wasn’t fit for the road after taking drugs. Anyone who gets behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is not only putting themselves at risk, but placing other road users in danger too.

“Do you really want to be responsible for taking someone’s life? It’s just not worth the risk.”