A driver has been banned from the road for three and half years after being caught 16 times over the limit for cocaine. 

Aleksandrs Lukacs, 23, of Vauxhall Street in Norwich, was arrested after his Audi A3 was stopped by police on June 12.

Norwich Magistrates’ Court was told he failed a roadside drugs wipe after officers became suspicious about his fitness to drive.

Blood tests at the police station found his level for cocaine was 800mg per litre - the specified legal limit is just 50.

Analysis showed he was also over the limit for cannabis.  

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Prosecutor Asif Akram said he had 15 previous convictions for 52 offences including drug driving, aggravated vehicle taking, car thefts and other motoring offences. 

Magistrates disqualified him from driving for 42 months and ordered he pay fines and costs of £365.

Lucy Brakewell, mitigating, said he had recently lost his job and had also suffered a traumatic event that almost resulted in the loss of his hand.

She said previously a retired senior RAF officer had taken an interest in his plight and had spoken on his behalf in court.