A SKIPTON man has been banned from driving for a year and given a community order for a number of motoring offences including driving with a metal pole dangerously close to his head.

Gareth Butler, 31, was in Gloucester in September 2020, where he lived at the time, driving a Chevrolet Orlando when police alerted by the manner of his driving followed him to a petrol station, heard Skipton Magistrates Court on Friday.

There was a pole protruding from the back of the vehicle which was dangerously close to Butler's head, he tested positive for drugs and there was a small pot of cannabis in the vehicle, the court was told.

He was only able to produce a provisional licence, but was not accompanied by a qualified driver or displaying learner plates said Sam Sharp, prosecuting.

A warrant had been issued for his arrest in Gloucester and he had appeared at York Magistrates Court on October 1 where he had pleaded guilty to five charges, the possession of cannabis, a class B controlled drug in Gloucester on September 22, 2020, and drugs driving.

He also admitted driving a vehicle with an insecure metal pole next to his head, resulting in a danger to the driver, driving otherwise in accordance with a licence and without third party insurance, and sentencing was adjourned for reports.

Butler, of Keighley Road, Skipton, declined the services of the duty solicitor when he appeared at the sentencing hearing in Skipton on Friday.

He told the court he was dyslexic and could not pass the written part of the driving test.

He dealt in scrap metal and driving was the only thing he could do, he told the court.

"I am dyslexic; when I came to do the written part of the test, I couldn't do it. I have to collect scrap, that is the only job I can do. I know what I did was wrong, but I need to get work, the only thing I know how to do, I can't."

Butler added he had never had a crash.

"I know what I was doing on the day was not safe, and I apologise."

Magistrates banned Butler from driving for 12 months and made a forfeiture and destruction order on the drugs. He was given a 15 month community order requiring him to complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days. He was also fined £120 with costs of £85 and a surcharge of £34.