A BARROW teenager has been disqualified from driving for 12 months after he was caught riding an E-scooter whilst under the influence of cannabis.

Tyler Holme, of Ainslie Street, Barrow, was stopped by police officers on 5 January 2021 when he was riding a black E-scooter along Cavendish Dock Road.

On Thursday, South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court heard that officers could smell cannabis after stopping the 19-year-old and conducted a roadside drug test which was found to be positive for the Class B drug.

Prosecutor Lee Dacre told the court: "This case relates to an E-scooter which falls within the provision of the Road Traffic Act.

"They are not currently legal in this country, but are available in certain places which are being used as pilot areas.

"The circumstances are at around 5:30 in the evening officers stopped the vehicle on Cavendish Dock Road and the defendant was identified.

"The officers could also smell cannabis coming off the defendant.

"During a roadside test, the defendant tested positive for cannabis."

"He has fully co-operated with the police officers, co-operated with the roadside test and blood test and credit should be given for his guilty plea."

Holme, who has no previous convictions, was found to have 7.7 microgrammes per litre of blood in his system, with the legal limit being two microgrammes.

The teenager also pleaded guilty to driving the E-scooter without insurance as well as not having the appropriate licence.

Chair of the bench, Mr Ormondroyd praised Holme for the guilty pleas, before announcing his punishment to the court.

In total, Holme was handed a 12-month disqualification from driving and £239 fine, for the offences.

Under UK law, it is permitted to ride an electric scooter on private land as long as you have the landowner’s permission, but it is an offence to ride them in public.

They are currently being trialled in cities including London.