A man who could barely respond to basic police questions has been banned from driving for five years after being caught under the influence of drugs behind the wheel.
On Monday, August 22, a silver Mercedes B-Class was spotted by a member of the public driving erratically along the A39 near Wells, Somerset. The driver, Jack Brownless, 39, from Hazelbury Bryan in Dorset, also collided with a wall during his journey. Another driver attempted to assist him before Brownless returned to his vehicle and stopped at the Green Ore Crossroads.
Avon and Somerset police officers arrived at the scene around 5:45 p.m. Body-worn camera footage revealed Brownless struggling to understand simple questions, indicating significant impairment. A roadside drug test returned positive for cannabis, and Brownless was taken into custody.
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Following his arrest, officers discovered several small bags of ketamine placed inside the cup holders and on the driver’s seat. Cannabis was also found inside a tobacco pouch in the vehicle’s center console.
Brownless admitted to driving over the legal drug limit and two counts of possession of Class B controlled drugs—ketamine and cannabis. He appeared at Yeovil Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, December 9.
He received a 60-month driving disqualification and a 26-week prison sentence suspended for two years. Additionally, Brownless must complete 100 hours of unpaid work within the next year and comply with a rehabilitation activity requirement.
PC Sam Colebrook, the officer handling the case, stated, “We received multiple calls from concerned members of the public reporting erratic driving on the A39. When we spoke to Mr. Brownless, he was clearly under the influence, slurring his speech and appearing confused. The discovery of ketamine and cannabis confirms how dangerous this situation was. We are fortunate no serious injuries occurred.”
He added, “There is no safe way to drink or drug drive. We urge the public to help remove dangerous drivers from the roads before it’s too late, as this case sadly demonstrates.”
The police ask the public to call 999 if they suspect someone is driving under the influence. For anonymous reports, Avon and Somerset police provide an online reporting form and encourage the use of a QR code on their website. Additionally, the charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously at 0800 555 111 or via their online form, ensuring confidentiality with no requirement to speak to police or attend court.