Man banned for drug-driving after Romsey crash risks revealed
A Southampton man was handed a 17-month driving ban after testing positive for cannabis and cocaine metabolites during a Romsey collision investigation. Magistrates heard his blood contained 4.4mcg of THC and 150mcg of BZE per litre.
Southampton Magistrates’ Court has confirmed a 39-year-old man faces a 17-month driving ban after pleading guilty to driving under the influence of drugs near Romsey. Daniel Khdir, of Bassett Avenue, was stopped on Friday 7 November 2025 after a BMW 525D veered onto The Hundred. A blood test revealed 4.4 microgrammes of THC—active cannabis metabolite—per litre of blood, alongside 150 microgrammes of BZE, a cocaine breakdown product.
Khdir pleaded guilty at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on 23 April 2025. In addition to the ban, he was ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and pay £199 in fines and costs within 28 days. Prosecutors stated the case highlights the ongoing risks posed by drug-driving on rural A-roads.
💡 Pro Tip
Police now use mobile drug-screening devices that can detect THC, cocaine and opiates in under 10 minutes, making roadside enforcement more effective than ever.
Separately, a 33-year-old Romsey man received a community order for assaulting a man in Croydon on 2 March 2025. Dean McAthey, of Woodley Close, pleaded guilty at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on 29 April 2025 to causing actual bodily harm to Lewis Blackall. He was sentenced to 150 hours of unpaid work, £100 compensation to the victim, and a £114 victim surcharge.
| Case | Defendant | Action | Fine/Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drug driving | Daniel Khdir, 39 | 17-month ban | 100 hours unpaid work |
| Assault | Dean McAthey, 33 | Community order | 150 hours unpaid work |
| Fare evasion | Reece Lamb, 23 | Fine | £220 + costs |
Reece Lamb, 23, of Nelson Close in Romsey, was fined £220 and ordered to pay £272.30 in additional costs and charges after admitting to travelling on a train from Southampton to Eastleigh without a valid ticket on 19 September 2025. The single justice procedure found him guilty on 24 April, with payment due by 22 May.
Key Points
- ✅ Daniel Khdir banned for 17 months after testing positive for THC and BZE
- ⚡ 4.4 mcg/L THC level exceeds UK legal driving limits
- 💡 Mobile drug-screening devices now deployed across Hampshire
Magistrates emphasised the public safety implications of drug-driving, particularly on roads like The Hundred, where collisions can have severe consequences. The court heard that Khdir’s driving was erratic and that he failed field sobriety tests before the blood sample was taken. His disqualification begins immediately.
| Drug | Metabolite | Legal limit (mcg/L) | Khdir’s level (mcg/L) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cannabis | THC | 2 | 4.4 |
| Cocaine | BZE | 10 | 150 |
Police data shows drug-driving arrests in Hampshire rose by 12% in 2024, with cannabis and cocaine the most commonly detected substances. Hampshire Constabulary confirmed it has increased patrols on rural routes between Romsey, Southampton and Winchester following a string of high-profile collisions.
📋 By The Numbers
- 12% — Increase in Hampshire drug-driving arrests in 2024
- 4.4 mcg/L — THC level in Khdir’s blood during the incident
- £199 — Total fine and costs to be paid by Khdir within 28 days
Legal experts note that even trace amounts of drugs can impair driving, and the legal thresholds are strictly enforced. The case follows a spate of similar convictions in the South East, where magistrates have signalled zero tolerance for drug-affected drivers. With mobile testing now standard, offenders face immediate consequences.