A "motivated and driven" father ignored his driving ban on a family journey back from the National Museum Cardiff. Police caught Daniel Harris with cannabis behind the wheel of a Ford C-Max while his partner and her children were in the car.
Harris was disqualified from driving in 2016 over dangerous driving while drunk - and he has not taken the extended test to get his licence back because it is "hugely expensive", Cardiff Magistrates' Court heard. He was spotted flouting his ban on the afternoon of May 7 at Gorse Place in Fairwater.
Prosecutor Jack Stanley told the court last Thursday: "Police observed that he seemed to come round a corner rather quickly. He was pulled over and once he had spoken to the officers, he grasped the severity of the situation. Mr Harris offered up that he had cannabis on his person and passed a roadside drug swab."
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The 30-year-old, of Heol-Y-Coed in Pontyclun, was "devastated" to be back in court, a probation officer told the magistrates. She described Harris as "open and honest" in their interview. He claimed he had driven because his partner's medical condition was causing her severe leg pain.
"He had been to the museum that day with his partner and her children," said the probation officer. "On the way home his partner was driving and they did stop at a shop to get painkillers, but she was in so much pain that he offered to take over. He recognises that he should not have been driving whether it was five or 15 minutes from home.
"He admits he used to smoke cannabis on a daily basis as a coping mechanism for depression and to help him sleep, but he has not smoked it since the offence. Drugs and alcohol are not a problem for him. He struggles with anxiety and depression but he doesn't receive medication because he doesn't want it to affect his work."
Harris has 14 previous offences on his record. He lives with his partner of two years and her three children, while he remains in contact with his own two children. He attends counselling each fortnight for mental health issues.
"He had a job interview yesterday and he is waiting to hear back from them on Monday," the probation officer continued. "The job entails fitting solar panels all over the UK. Having work will be a protective factor."
She deemed him at "medium risk" of reoffending but described him as a "motivated and driven individual", adding: "I do see potential in him. He is eager to make positive changes. He is devastated to appear in court today and I could tell that while interviewing him."
Harris pleaded guilty to possessing 1.5g of the Class B drug and driving while banned and without insurance. His driving ban from 2016 only lasted 29 months but he remains disqualified until he passes an extended test - and his solicitor Mike Hall said he had baulked at the "hugely expensive" fee. On the way back from the museum he "foolishly" decided to drive instead of booking an Uber but he is determined to "redeem himself", said Mr Hall.
Passing sentence Presiding Justice Shan Clark told Harris: "Spontaneity is obviously something you're good at but you need to be spontaneous in the right way. If your partner is in pain, book a taxi. Don't only think about your partner. Think about those children. If an accident occurred you would have that on your conscience."
She imposed a six-month driving ban and a 12-month community order including 20 rehab days aimed at improving Harris' "thinking skills". He must also complete 60 hours of unpaid work and pay a £95 victim services surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs. You can read more court stories here.
