(Image: The Northern Echo)
A man with no previous convictions has lost his good name after refusing to help police when suspected of drink-driving.
Martin Boys was told he had a bald tyre by a member of the public who smelled alcohol on his breath, on Thursday, July 16.
Police went to his home in Newton Aycliffe after being told he had driven while apparently under the influence of alcohol, Peterlee magistrates heard.
Prosecutor Gabrielle Veitch said Boys refused to give police his details or take a roadside breath test before also refusing to provide a blood sample when taken to a police station.
The 63-year-old, of Burghley Mews, admitted failing to provide police with a blood sample when he appeared at court.
Martin Boys left court with a £730 bill in fines, surcharge and costs, and also was banned from driving for 21 months for failing to provide police with a blood sample
Boys’ lawyer, Sean Grainger, said his client has just retired after 43 years in work.
He said the defendant was shocked by the allegation and now realises what he did was, “incredibly stupid”.
Mr Grainger told the court: “He has no real explanation for failing to provide a sample.
“He is someone who goes into a shell when faced with authority and rather than discuss matters, he chose not to co-operate or assist and now faces the consequences of that.”
The magistrates fined him £461 and with costs and a statutory surcharge totalling £269, he left court £730 out of pocket.
Boys was also banned from driving for 21 months, but he can cut the period of disqualification by 21 weeks by completing a drink-drivers’ rehabilitation course, by December 15 next year.