Laurence Fisher, 53 and from Essex, appeared at Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court, where he pleaded guilty to fraudulently using a registration mark and driving with a proportion of a controlled drug over the limit.

He also pleaded guilty to driving his Vauxhall without third-party insurance.

A47 in Great Yarmouth. (Image: Google Street View)

Prosecuting Ellen Connelly said: "On August 5, 2025, police officers were on patrol on the A47 in Great Yarmouth.

"Checks showed that the vehicle did not match that registration number. The false registration plate was confirmed.

"The driver was driving with no valid insurance. The vehicle was driven some distance and it was also committed while under the influence of drugs."

Fisher was arrested and a blood sample was taken at the police station.

A blood sample being taken. (Image: Marco J Haenssgen on Unsplash)

His sample came back with 251 microgrammes per litre of blood of benzoylecgonine, which is the main metabolite of cocaine, exceeding the legal limit of 50 microgrammes per litre of blood.

He was also found to have fraudulently used a registration mark which did not match that linked to his Vauxhall car.

Andrew Spence, mitigating, said: "Mr Fisher committed that offence in circumstances where he was struggling financially.

"Somebody made a suggestion about how he could get out of paying car insurance.

Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court. (Image: Great Yarmouth Borough Council)

"Drugs were in his system. He was drug driving.

"It was a very stupid and harmful decision from Mr Fisher. He took some cocaine a couple of days before he actually drove."

Fisher has been disqualified from driving for 12 months.

He must also pay a fine of £200, a victim surcharge of £80 and prosecution costs of £110.

Presiding magistrate Jane Bowles said: "Be careful that you don't sit behind the wheel of a car.

"Do not attempt to drive until you have a licence back in your hand."

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