Reynolds, of Landseer Avenue, Northfleet, admitted drug-driving and driving without insurance or a licence when he appeared in the dock at Medway Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (September 18).

Rajni Prashar, prosecuting, said: “It was 11.15pm and police were in Cobham and an Audi A3 passed them and they noticed there were four males in the vehicle and it had damage to it.

“They decided to follow it, and checks revealed there was no insurance for it, so they stopped the car and spoke to the driver and identified him as the defendant.

“He also didn’t have a full driving licence, as well as no insurance, and he then failed a drug swipe.”

Reynolds was arrested and taken to North Kent Police Station, where his blood was taken and he was found to have 6.8 micrograms of cannabis (THC) per litre of blood. The legal limit is 2.

Defending himself, Reynolds said: “I did a stupid thing. I was driving the car to get some food with my cousins.”

The chairman of the bench then said: “With no insurance?”

Reynolds replied: “No, I’ve not got a licence and I’ve got no insurance, I’ve only got a provisional.

“I’ve been struggling with my mental health, and I am claiming Universal Credit. I am technically homeless and living in my girlfriend’s car.

Magistrates banned Reynolds from driving for 12 months and fined him £120 for the drug-driving offence. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £48 and £85 court costs.

He received no separate penalties for the no licence and no insurance offences, but his licence will be endorsed.