A LEARNER driver who smoked a joint of cannabis to cope with the death of his mother has been disqualified from driving after police caught him riding a moped in Calne.

Tyler Anthony McDonald, 18, of Dakota Drive, had his provisional licence revoked and been disqualified from driving for 12 months, after police caught him driving his Aprilla moped without L-plates in Quemerford on June 8.

The 18-year-old, tested positive for 4.2 micrograms of cannabis where the legal limit is two micrograms.

McDonald, who represented himself at Salisbury Magistrates Court today, told the court how he did not usually smoke the drug.

“My mum passed away recently and I am not normally a smoker,” he said. “On that day I had smoked a few hours before. I did have L-plates on my bike but they must have come off at some point.”

McDonald was also fined £80 and ordered to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £35.