Forres traffic managment officer loses licence after drug drving by Milton of Culloden junction with the A96

A traffic management officer has lost his licence after police caught him driving under the influence of cocaine.

Inverness Sheriff Court was told that Patrick Balford, of Pilmuir Road, Forres was stopped by officers at the Milton of Culloden junction with the A96 on the afternoon of July, 29 2024.

Subsequent analysis of the 29-year-old’s blood sample revealed he had a reading of 432mcgs of cocaine in his system when the safe driving limit is 50mcgs.

Defending, Samantha Morrison told Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald: "He will likely lose his job with the loss of his licence.

“It has been a bit of a wake-up call for him. He had been partying and the drugs were still in his system.

"He has now ceased taking substances.”

Sheriff Macdonald fined Balford £640 and banned him from driving for 14 months "because of the very high reading."