IPSWICH: A drug-driver is banned from the road today after admitting being high while behind the wheel.

Richard Fritz , of Coleness Road, was stopped near Ipswich police station while driving a red Mazda 323.

The 27-year-old was pulled over in Portman Road just before 10.10am on November 23.

Officers had followed him from the Novotel hotel near the docks, along Franciscan Way and Civic Drive.

During his journey Fritz’s car was reported to have clipped a kerb and pulled away slowly from a pedestrian crossing.

When he was stopped in Portman Road officers were concerned about how he responded to a their questions and tests.

Fritz was taken to Ipswich police station where a doctor took a sample of blood, which proved positive for cannabis.

Fritz pleaded guilty to driving whilst unfit through drugs, when he appeared before South East Suffolk Magistrates’ court and was disqualified from driving for 12 months, and fined �100.

He was also ordered to pay �85 costs and a �15 victim surcharge.

After the case, Chief Inspector Ady Dawson, of Suffolk Constabulary’s road policing unit, said: “Drug-driving is totally unacceptable and is a serious crime.

“My road policing officers work tirelessly to tackle the problem all-year round. If you take drugs and drive, you put yourself, your loved ones and other road users at risk.”