M6 driver took cocaine after being told it mimicked ADHD medication

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Nov, 12:32 · Archive

Hudson James Casson was stopped on the M6 after testing positive for cocaine, having been told the drug would provide similar effects to his ADHD medication.

Hudson James Casson, 53, from Carlisle, was stopped driving his Citroen northbound on the M6 between junctions 36 and 37 on 29 April. He returned a positive roadside saliva sample for benzoylecgonine, the primary metabolite of cocaine, with a reading of 310 ug/L. The prosecution threshold is 50 ug/L.

Casson had returned to the UK two years ago after living abroad for 20 years to care for his mother, who has Alzheimer's disease. He has ADHD and had been taking Ritalin whilst overseas. According to his solicitor, Trystan Roberts, Casson had been told that taking cocaine would produce similar effects to his ADHD medication and was in the process of obtaining a specialist recommendation for Ritalin in the UK.

Casson pleaded guilty to drug driving at South Cumbria Magistrates' Court. Roberts told the court this was his only use of cocaine and that he had no previous convictions. Magistrates imposed a fine of £120, a mandatory 12-month driving disqualification, court costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £48.

How it is being reported

• M6 driver took cocaine after being told it had similar effect to ADHD drugA DRUG driving motorist on the M6 was told taking a Class A drug would help with his common neurodevelopmental condition, a court heard.Westmorland Gazette · 13 Nov, 12:00
• M6 driver took cocaine after being told it had similar effect to ADHD drugA DRUG driving motorist on the M6 was told taking a Class A drug would help with his common neurodevelopmental condition, a court heard.NW Evening Mail · 13 Nov, 12:00

In this story: Hudson James Casson · South Cumbria Magistrates' Court · M6 · Carlisle

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log