A WORRIED passer-by contacted police after seeing a man in a car who she thought was sniffing lighter gas.

Blackburn magistrates heard Daniel Rawsthorn was in fact disabled as a result of having a blood clot in his neck 14 years ago.

What he was actually doing was using his chin to push on a gas canister while he was filling his cigarette lighter.

But he ended up being charged with possessing cannabis and driving while under he influence of the drug.

Rawsthorn, 34, of Meadow Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to drug driving, possessing cannabis and failing to stop when required by a police officer. He was banned from driving for 13 months and ordered to pay £85 costs and £21 victim surcharge.

Tracy Yates, prosecuting, said police received a report of a man sniffing gas in his car at 9.35pm. When they arrived the car was driven away, although not at speed, and they followed until it stopped outside the defendant’s house.

Rawsthorn failed a drug swipe for cannabis and a quantity of the drug was found in his possession.

Richard Prew, defending, said Rawsthorn lived with his partner and their five children. The blood clot in his neck caused a stroke and as a result he was disabled down his right hand side, epileptic and suffered memory loss.

“He also has difficulties with his speech which is why he drove away, he simply wanted to get home so his partner could do some of the talking for him,” said Mr Prew.

“His right hand is quite disabled and he uses his chin when he is filling his lighter up with fluid. That is what the member of the public saw.”

Mr Prew said as a result of his problems Rawsthorn had trouble sleeping. “He uses cannabis to help him sleep and the cannabis found in his system was from the night before,” said Mr Prew.