Legality of roadside drug test queried in court

21-year-old appears at Douglas Courthouse

A court’s heard there are doubts about the legality of a roadside drugs test administered by police which landed an Onchan man in court.

Twenty-one-year-old Brandon Lindsay William Clague, of Ashley Park, appeared at Douglas Courthouse.

He’s charged with driving whilst unfit through drugs on 9 January but hasn’t yet entered a plea.

Prosecution advocate Barry Swain said a query had been raised about a swab test.

The court heard a new law from Tynwald was introduced on 17 January giving police the power to carry out the tests.

However Deputy High Bailiff James Brooks said if Mr Clague had been arrested on the strength of such a test more than a week before the law was in place he shouldn’t be in court.

Mr Swain requested an adjournment to check with police whether the test had been carried out.

Mr Clague was bailed and will appear in court again on 30 June.