Uninsured drug-driver bought policy in police car

A drug-driver who had no insurance tried to cover his tracks by buying a policy while sitting in the back of a police car in Derbyshire.

Derbyshire Police said Luke Hobley was stopped in a Ford Focus that was "revving excessively" with a "loud popping" exhaust in Grangewood Road, Chesterfield, on 1 December.

Hobley, 29, of Hollis Lane in the town, failed a roadside drugs test - carried out as police thought he smelt of cannabis - and bought temporary car insurance, the force added.

He pleaded guilty to drug driving and having no car insurance. He was banned from driving for 22 months when he was sentenced at Chesterfield Magistrates' Court on 28 August.

Hobley was ordered to complete 90 hours of unpaid work, told to pay costs of £1,201.44 and a victim surcharge of £114.

PC Adam Hardy said: "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."

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