A DISQUALIFIED driver was spotted by eagle-eyed police officers as he was driving to a chemist in Lampeter.

Matthew David Harris, 36, was arrested by police officers who recognised him as a disqualified driver and then found heroin in the car after noticing syringes and tin foil.

Harris, of 30 Maes yr Awel in Ponterwyd, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and possession of heroin and possession of cannabis after the incident on 7 April.

Prosecutor Kevin Challinor said officers stopped Harris on Bryn Road in Lampeter after recognising him and realising he was banned from driving.

They saw syringes and tin foil in the car and a search found just over a gram of brown powder, which tests proved was heroin.

Mr Challinor said a search of Harris’ home found a small amount of cannabis, with Harris, in an interview after his arrest, admitting all three offences.

Defence solicitor Katy Hanson said Harris and his partner had been visiting a friend in Lampeter when his partner had fallen asleep and Harris had “made the incredibly stupid decision to drive” to the chemist to pick up a prescription.

Ms Hanson said Harris had only driven a very short distance, but accepted that he should not have done it.

She told magistrates that Harris used drugs to help with advanced arthritis, which he has suffered from after an accident, but was now seeking help for his drug use.

After hearing a probation report into Harris, magistrates imposed a community order for 12 months with 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 20 sessions of a thinking skills programme.

He was also fined £100 and will pay costs totalling £170.

Harris is still banned from driving after he was banned for six months in February. But magistrates imposed a 12-month driving ban to start from Wednesday, 26 April.