Powys farm contractor banned after being caught drug driving for second time in eight months

A Powys man has received an additional driving ban after being sentenced for drug driving for a second time in eight months.

Richard Hodnett pleaded guilty to driving on the A483 at Crossgates with Benzoylecgonine in his blood on February 24 2026, when he appeared at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The 29 year-old of Wernygaufron at Lloyney was found to have 240 micrograms of cocaine per litre of blood, the limit being 50 micrograms per litre.

He was also convicted of drug driving in November 2025.

Prosecuting, Ms Victoria Vasey said police stopped Hodnett for other driving matters which were not mentioned in the court paperwork.

He complied with a roadside drugs test, which proved positive and he was taken to the police station where blood tests were taken, showing the results.

Ms Vasey said Hodnett had one previous conviction for drug driving last November but he was not sentenced for it until March and this offence took place in February.

Mitigating, Ms Sophie Jones said Hodnett had a bald tyre and that was why he was stopped by the police.

She said one week before driving he went out with friends to the pub and had taken cocaine. He did not think that it would show up in his body after a week.

Ms Jones said he was a self-employed contract worker in the area but he could no longer do that because of the driving involved so he now works with his family on the farm.

She said although this was his second drugs matter he insists he has no drug issue although he has used them recreationally.

“This second matter is a wake up call for him and he will not be taking drugs in the future,” she said.

Magistrates fined him £120 and he was banned from driving for 28 months and the ban will run alongside the other ban he is on for the first drugs offence.

He will also have to pay a £48 surcharge and £85 costs.