A COCAINE-fuelled driver was found to have two knives and a baton in his van after a police search.

It isn’t the first time Paul Ruane has been caught driving while under the influence of drugs.

He appeared before Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday for sentencing, however, the case was adjourned to a later date.

Ruane, of Bewsey Road, previously pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle with a proportion of specified controlled drug above the specified limit – cocaine – and using a motor vehicle on a road without third-party insurance.

Meanwhile, he was found guilty of two counts of possessing a knife in a public place and one count of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place after trial.

The court heard how the offences occurred back in March this year when someone reported the defendant getting into his van after taking drugs.

Police pulled the 58-year-old over on Cromwell Avenue and found he was over the legal limit for cocaine – he had 229g of benzoylecgonine in his blood.

A search of his vehicle was then conducted which revealed Ruane was in possession of a kitchen knife, a folding pocket knife, and a wooden police baton.

The court heard how Ruane has 24 for 40 offences – including some violent ones as well as drink driving and drug driving.

His sentencing has been adjourned to a later date.