A Swindon driver has been banned from the roads for three years after being caught driving with a significant amount of cannabis in his system.
Selvaraj Amuthanathan, 42, of Chickerell Road, Park North, appeared before Swindon Magistrates’ Court after admitting a drug-driving offence uncovered during a police stop late last year.
The incident occurred on 29 December 2025 when officers identified a vehicle of interest travelling in Kingswood Avenue.
Police followed the vehicle and brought it to a stop in the Kingswood Surgery car park, where officers carried out checks on the driver.
According to Wiltshire Police, officers noted that Amuthanathan had glazed pupils and could smell cannabis. A roadside drugs test was subsequently carried out and returned a positive result.
He was arrested and later charged after laboratory analysis of a blood sample revealed what police described as a considerable amount of cannabis in his system.
At a hearing on 28 May, magistrates imposed a three-year driving disqualification. Before being allowed back on the road, Amuthanathan will also be required to pass an extended driving test.
In addition, he was fined £120.
Following the case, PC Hobbs from Wiltshire Police’s Roads Policing Unit said the sentence should serve as a reminder of the dangers associated with drug driving.
“Drug driving is one of the fatal five offences for good reason,” he said.
“Smoking cannabis will significantly impair your ability to drive, slowing your reactions, distorting your perception of time and distance and reducing your awareness of your surroundings.”
He added: “Amuthanathan now faces a lengthy spell of time off the roads.”
Wiltshire Police continues to target drug and drink drivers as part of wider road safety operations across the county.
Drug driving has become an increasing focus for police forces nationwide, with officers warning that some motorists wrongly believe cannabis has less impact on driving ability than alcohol. Road safety experts have repeatedly highlighted that the drug can affect judgement, concentration and reaction times, increasing the risk of serious collisions.
The force is encouraging members of the public to report anyone they suspect may be driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, particularly where there is an immediate risk to other road users.
