A DRIVER who jumped a red light had been been taking cocaine, a court heard.

Bolton magistrates were told that Ghanshyam Mawji, aged 28, of Brindley Close, Farnworth, was driving along Higher Market Street, Farnworth, in July, 2005.

Gail OBrien, prosecuting, said two police officers noticed his Mercedes van swerving from side to side then going though a red light at the junction with King Street. They stopped the van, and when Mawji got out he was unsteady on his feet and his eyes were glazed. He admitted taking cocaine.

He was taken to Astley Bridge police station, where tests revealed his response rate to be slow. A blood sample showed a large amount of cocaine.

Mawji, who had pleaded not guilty to driving while unfit through drink and drugs at an earlier hearing, was tried in his absence after failing to turn up at court.

Magistrates found him guilty and issued a warrant for his arrest. He will be sentenced at a future date.