A man has been jailed for drugs and knife offences following a speed enforcement stop in Southampton.

Police were conducting laser speed checks on Millbrook Road West – a 40mph zone – on 24 February this year, when a Toyota passed them at 67mph.

The Toyota – which was being driven by 42-year-old Arminas Grybas – was stopped by police, who found that he was not insured to be driving it. The vehicle was subsequently seized by police.

Whilst talking to Grybas, who had also been driving whilst disqualified, PC Paul Morrison noticed a bag on the passenger seat of the car. A search under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act located a large quantity of cannabis along with a lock knife.

Grybas, of Christchurch Road in Bournemouth, was subsequently charged with possession of cannabis with intent to supply, possession of a knife in a public place, driving without insurance, driving whilst disqualified, and speeding.

Appearing at Southampton Magistrates Court yesterday (26 February), he pleaded guilty to all of the offences. He was jailed for 8 months and handed a further 18 month driving ban.

PC Paul Morrison, of the Roads Policing Unit, said: “Incidents like these really highlight the value of proactive policing. Issues around dangerous driving behaviours such as speeding are regularly raised to police which is one of the reasons why we conduct speed enforcement checks.

“But not only that, this type of enforcement gives us the opportunity to identify and target criminals who we know routinely use the road network around the county and over the borders to commit other offences.

“On this occasion, not only did we disrupt Grybas who was driving in a manner which puts the local community at risk, we were also able to get drugs and a knife off the street.”

We continue to encourage our communities to report issues in their neighbourhood to police on 101, so we can understand the areas most impacted by crime and anti-social behaviour and take proactive action.