Goonellabah P-plater Nicholas Allan James Quinnell pleads guilty to four counts of driving with cannabis in system

A North Coast P-plater busted by police with cannabis in his body four times in three months has been warned in court that he’ll land in prison if he keeps it up.

The Bruxner Highway, Lindendale.

A North Coast P-plater busted by police with cannabis in his system four times in three months has been warned he will end up behind bars if he offends again.

Nicholas Allan James Quinnell of Goonellabah faced Lismore Local Court on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old pleaded guilty to four counts of driving with an illicit drug present in his body second offence between December 17 last year and March 9.

The provisional driver told officers that he smoked cannabis “all the time”, police state in court documents.

Police conducting random roadside testing. Picture: Jacklyn Wagner

Quinnell first tested positive to THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the main psychoactive component in cannabis, after he was pulled over for random testing at Casino in December.

On another occasion, police state he was detected speeding on the Bruxner Hwy near Lindendale and pulled over on Livotto Dr, Richmond Hill.

A “strong smell of cannabis” was noticed by officers and a search of Quinnell’s car uncovered 10 grams of cannabis sealed in a Bob Marley tin in the centre console.

Quinnell said the drugs were for personal use and he “smoked often”.

On another occasion, Quinnell’s car was stopped on Taylors Ave in Goonellabah with a companion in the front passenger seat.

Taylor Ave Goonellabah where police busted a man for driving with an illicit drug in his blood.

Magistrate Michael Dakin warned Quinnell he had one last chance before he ended up in prison.

Quinnell was sentenced to an 18-month conditional release order.

No convictions were recorded.

Quinnell was cautioned regarding the cannabis in the car, police state.