A motorist who was caught driving erratically was “under the influence” – of DRUM and BASS music, a court heard.
Delivery driver Aaron Cogley, 25, claimed he was “high” on the “intoxicating effects” of his favourite tunes – which made him swerve in the road.
He was spotted by police taking a sharp turn and then running two sets of red lights, Bristol Crown Court was told.
Cogley then “cut up” another motorist and rounded a corner so sharply the whole van rocked on its chassis.
Officers pulled him over but he passed a drink and drugs test. When asked why he was driving erratically he blamed his drum and bass.
Cogley, of Portishead, Bristol, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and his defence team argued he had been “intoxicated” by the music.
David Miller, defending, said: “It was stupid. He was carried away because of the intoxicating effects of drum and bass music.”
Despite his claims he was given 80 hours of unpaid work, banned from driving for 12 months, ordered to pass an extended driving test and given a a #60 victim surcharge.
Passing sentence, Recorder Mr Kevin De Haan QC described drum and bass as “Intoxicating for some. Very irritating for others.”
Mark Hollier, prosecuting, said police in an unmarked car spotted Cogley driving his Ford van in the streets near Bristol Royal Infirmary.
He “cut up” a motorist, drove slowly through two sets of red lights before swerving from lane to lane as he headed towards a train station.
Police rushed the vehicle and Cogley was arrested and breathalysed, but blew a zero reading.
Mr Hollier said: “When asked about it he said he was listening to drum and bass and was in a hurry.”
Recorder Haan QC told Cogley: “It’s always serious, dangerous driving. Even if you only went up to 40mph you were lucky that night. You could have had an accident and been hurt, or worse you could have hurt someone else. Police thought you had taken something.”
The court heard said Cogley would now lose his job.
