A MAN has been handed a suspended sentence after being found guilty of possessing a machete and a series of drug-driving charges.

Mitchell Kirkby, of High Street, Golborne, tested positive for cocaine and benzoylecgonine when he was driving in Wigan on January 7.

Two months later on March 15, he was found with the same two drugs in his system when was driving on Warrington Road in Wigan.

A month later on April 1, the 29-year-old had two offensive weapons in his possession, a machete and a baton, when he was on the East Lancashire Road in St Helens.

He has also been convicted of having cocaine in his blood in St Helens and possessing the class A drug and cannabis on the same date.

Kirkby was given a six-month sentence at Wigan and Leigh Magistrates' Court on Wednesday suspended for 12 months.

He has been banned from driving for three years, ordered to pay court costs of £520 and a victim services surcharge fee of £115.

He must also complete a drug rehabilitation course and carry out 40 hours of unpaid work.