(Image: The Northern Echo)
A teenage driver refused to provide a blood sample as he felt police had treated him unfairly when they stopped him, a court heard.
Tyrou Swain had been driving legally in his father’s car on Tuesday, August 4, after taking a friend home before heading back to his house in Bishop Auckland.
Prosecutor Gabrielle Veitch said police stopped Swain at 12.30am and requested a drug wipe because of his demeanour.
Swain refused to provide a sample, so officers arrested him and took him into custody, where he also refused a blood test.
Tyrou Swain banned from driving for 17 months and fined £333, with £218 in costs and court surcharge for failing to provide a blood specimen for police
The 19-year-old, of Addison Road, Toronto, admitted failing to provide a blood specimen for testing.
In mitigation, Sam Brewster for Swain, said the fully insured defendant had been driving lawfully in his father’s car and had just reached home when an unmarked police car approached from behind with its lights on.
Mr Brewster said Swain co-operated with the officer and gave him his details.
But other officers arrived with barking police dogs.
“He began to feel the position was somewhat unfair as he felt he had been driving fairly.”
Mr Brewster said Swain’s father came outside and both felt aggrieved by the way he was being treated.
He said Swain felt intimidated and struggled to deal with the situation.
Swain was still upset when he reached the police station and refused to provide a blood sample.
Mr Brewster said Swain had considered pleading not guilty because he believed he had been driving legally.
“I explained to him that all the officer has to have is a suspicion and, unfortunately, he refused.
“But, he’s come around to it and pleaded guilty.”
Mr Brewster added that Swain was, “a young man with no previous convictions”.
The magistrates banned Swain from driving for 17 months and fined him £333, with £218 added in costs and a court surcharge.