Although Lucas William Horton, 35, of Jilba Street, was not charged for possession of two bags containing “a crystal substance”, believed to be methamphetamine, which were found under the passenger seat, he was charged for driving with an illicit drug in his system and possession of an item which was suspected to be stolen.

He appeared in Orange Local Court last Monday, where he was fined $220 and was disqualified from driving for six months for driving with methamphetamine in his system, and given a six-month good behaviour bond for possessing a parcel which was addressed to a woman. 

He was stopped while driving in Lords Place by police at 1am on January 18, because they recognised Horton’s passenger.

The passenger ran away while police were conducting identity and vehicle checks. The car was then searched and the items were found.

Horton tested positive to a drug test but claimed he hadn’t used any drugs but people had been smoking drugs in his presence.

He also tested positive to methamphetamine during a road-side drug test in Hill Street at 3.20am on October 9, 2017.

For that offence he was given another $220 fine and a six-month driving disqualification, which will be concurrent with his other driving ban.