Dancer, 27, caught drug-driving just 72 hours after being released from custody for same offence swerves jail

A DANCER caught drug-driving just 72 hours after being released from custody for the same offence has avoided jail.

Shannon McFadden, 27, was found to be almost twice the legal limit for cannabis when she was stopped by police in her Ford Fiesta.

She was arrested and placed in custody following the January 7 offence - but was caught again just 72 hours after her release.

McFadden was again almost twice the limit for THC - the psychoactive component of cannabis.

The performer, who sings in an all-girl group, has now avoided jail after admitting drug-driving.

McFadden, who faced a maximum six month sentence, was instead handed a 12 month road ban and was ordered to pay £133 in costs.

She had previously been handed a 12 month driving ban for the first offence, which was dealt with separately.

Sefton Magistrates' Court was told McFadden suffers from ADHD and is a carer for her mother.

Sentencing, Deputy District Judge Imran Hussain told her: "What displeases the court is that you were arrested on 4 January, taken to a police station, provided a blood sample and arrested for drug driving, and then knowing all of this three days later you decided to again get behind the wheel of a car and again you were arrested for drug driving.

"I appreciate that since 7 January you have not been arrested for any other matters and apart from these there is nothing at all on your record so I have stepped back from giving you a greater punishment than a fine.

"But if you drive a car when you are under the influence of drugs you are a danger to everybody else and yourself."

Edward Handley, prosecuting, said she was first stopped by cops on January 7 just after midnight.

A police officer smelled the drug in her car as he spoke to her and ordered a drug test.

McFadden was taken into custody but just three days later, she was pulled over again.

In mitigation, McFadden's lawyer Lionel Greig said: “She is a young lady of 27 years who cares for her mum and in receipt of Universal Credit.

"Obviously, she is very disappointed to find herself before the court. She is a young lady who clearly has emotional issues. I have been told she suffers from ADHD."