A STUDENT who smoked cannabis to celebrate finishing his Bradford College course has been banned from driving after police noticed the smell of the drug coming from his car.

Andrea Jimenez has been given a 17-month driving ban after being found with double the acceptable amount of cannabis in his blood.

The 23-year-old was waiting for friends in Skipton Road, Kildwick, between Keighley and Skipton, on June 5 when police smelt cannabis coming from his car, heard Skipton magistrates.

A roadside test was positive and he was taken to Harrogate Police Station where a blood test revealed he had 4.1 microgrammes of THC (the active ingredient in cannabis) per litre of blood, the legal limit is two.

Sports student Jimenez, who admitted drugs driving, had no previous convictions and was due to continue his education at Leeds University, the court heard.

In mitigation, Shakeel Ahmed said Jimenez had smoked cannabis earlier in the day in celebration of finishing his course at Bradford College.

He said Jimenez had been in his father's car, an Alfa Romeo, and was waiting for friends when spoken to by police.

It was an isolated incident and the loss of his driving licence would mean it difficult getting to Leeds, said Mr Ahmed.

In addition to a 17 month driving ban, Jimenez, of Kildwick Grange, Kildwick, was fined £120 and ordered to pay £150 criminal courts charge, £85 prosecution costs and £20 surcharge.