A MAN has been jailed for driving dangerously on roads between Northwich and Knutsford, while over the drug drive limit.

Sam Illidge, of Fryer Road in Lostock Gralam, drove a Vauxhall Astra down quiet country lanes in Comberbach and Pickmere before he was stopped by police on the A556.

He began his journey on Budworth Lane before heading on to Marston Lane, turning onto Church Street and then travelling all the way up Pickmere Lane on his way to Knutsford.

To make matters worse, the 28-year-old had significant traces of both cannabis and cocaine in his blood that exceeded the drug drive limit when he provided samples to police.

He was appearing at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday, October 19, where Judge Patrick Thompson sentenced him to serve 12 months in custody.

In total, Illidge pleaded guilty to five charges, including two others for driving without a licence and for driving without insurance.

The incident happened on March 15 this year.

In blood samples provided to police, Illidge was found to have not less than 8.3 microgrammes per litre of blood of Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (cannabis), with the limit being 2µg/L.

He was also more than twice over the drug drive limit for cocaine, when he had not less than 115 per litre of blood of Benzoylecgonine µg/L - with the limit being 50µg/L.

Judge Thompson handed Illidge a three month custodial sentence for the drug drive charges, but that will be served concurrently to the 12 month tariff.

He was also disqualified from holding a driving licence for a period of three years and was told he will need to complete an extended driving test after that had expired.

He must also pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £156 upon his release from prison.