Drug Driver Jailed

Dear Resident

A man has been jailed and been given a further driving ban after being caught driving under the influence of drugs in #HemelHempstead.

Officers were on patrol on 11 February when they stopped a vehicle of interest in Gadeview Road.

The driver was confirmed as Denis Cala, aged 29, who was already serving a driving ban for a previous offence.

He was given a roadside drugs swipe, which came back positive for cannabis.

Cala, of Gadeview Road, was arrested and subsequently charged with drug driving, driving while disqualified and driving with no insurance.

He appeared before St Albans Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (15 July) where he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison. He was also given a five-year driving ban and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £154.

PC Jason Appleby, who led the investigation, said: “Drug driving is extremely dangerous and puts lives at risk. Together with drink driving, it is among the four main causes of road traffic collisions resulting in death or serious injury, alongside speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, and using a mobile phone while driving.

“Our officers are out there, conducting regular patrols and we will not hesitate to stop anyone who we believe is a danger to other road users and pedestrians.”