Driver who stank of booze refused to let Sunderland police breath test him
A motorist who smelled of booze when pulled over by police in Sunderland has been banned from driving after “blatantly” refusing to be breath tested.
Joshua Collins, 24, of no fixed abode, was stopped as he drove southbound on the A19 dual carriageway by officers who wanted to question him about an unrelated matter.
Although no charge came from that inquiry, Collins would not agree to be breathalysed at the roadside on Friday, July 3, magistrates in South Tyneside heard.
And he did likewise at a police station after his arrest, prosecutor Paul Anderson revealed.
Collins, a dad, is now starting a 17-month driving ban after pleading guilty to a charge of failing to provide a sample of breath for analysis.
Mr Anderson said: “The police are warned that he’s on the A19 and was wanted in relation to other matters.
“They stopped the vehicle as it was heading southbound on the A19 at Hylton Bridge, next to the A183 slip road for Chester-le-Street.
“It’s apparent that there’s a smell of drink on him and he appears to be under the influence of alcohol.
“He refuses to take a roadside breath test, it was a blatant refusal – he won’t assist at all and was arrested for failing to provide.
“He was taken to a police station and again it was a blatant refusal to provide a sample. It’s a disqualification of between 17 and 28 months.
“He has one previous conviction on his record but it’s nothing similar to this.”
Jason Dudhee, defending, told magistrates Collins was pulled over by police after the mother of his child made an unfounded allegation against him.
He added: “He has given you an early guilty plea. He has no previous driving convictions.
“He does explain to me that he suffers from poor mental health and has depression and anxiety.
“He was stopped for unrelated matters that came to nothing. He tells me that from being stopped and arrested, it has exacerbated his anxiety.
“He says that he was not fully aware of the consequences of his actions. He says that he was in shock.”
Collins was also sentenced to a 12-month community order, with 10 rehabilitation days, and fined £120, with a £114 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.