A MAN who got behind the wheel after a "cocktail of drugs" is to take his case to the Crown Court.

Rayaz Mohammed, 37, had earlier been found guilty by Burnley magistrates of driving while unfit through drugs but is to appeal against the conviction. He felt he was all right to drive.

Mohammed, of Regent Place, Nelson, was given a 12 month community rehabilitation order, to include the Addressing Substance Related Offending Programme.

He was banned for three years after a previous conviction for excess alcohol but the bench made no order for costs.

Duncan Nightingale, defending, told the justices he had lodged notice of appeal. The court refused to lift the defendant's ban pending his appearance at the higher court.

The court had been told Mohammed, who is on invalidity benefit, had been driving along Regent Street, Nelson, when he had crossed the central line and had gone on to the other side of the road when turning a corner.

He was stopped by police and taken to the station, where he gave a negative breath test.

The police surgeon was called and he gave the defendant a series of tests.

Mohammed did not complete them all successfully and the the doctor felt he had not been fit to drive.

A blood test revealed a "cocktail of drugs," including morphine and temazepam and the defendant was said to have taken six painkillers all at once.