A drug-driver narrowly avoided a collision with a police car, a court has heard.

Claire Thomas, of Haroldston Close, Haverfordwest, pleaded guilty to driving while over the controlled drug limit when she appeared at Haverfordwest magistrates court on Tuesday, October 30.

Sian Vaughan, prosecuting, told the court that Thomas’ Hyundai narrowly avoided colliding with a police car when she pulled out of a junction in front of the officers just before midnight on August 18.

The officers noticed the strong smell of cannabis emanating from her vehicle when they stopped her in Clay Lanes, Haverfordwest, and a drug swab was taken.

David Elvy, defending, said Thomas, 23, who was previously of clean character suffered from anxiety and depression and occasionally smoked cannabis as she did not get on with her tablets.

“Unfortunately, she had smoked cannabis shortly before driving on this occasion.”

Mr Elvy added that Thomas had recently started work at a hotel which was five miles from town, and was unsure how she would get there without a driving licence.

Thomas was fined £180 and banned from driving for 18 months.

Magistrates also ordered her to pay £85 court costs and a £30 surcharge.