Haywards Heath driver banned after refusing blood test because of ‘phobia’

A driver got a 17 month ban after he refused to take a blood test for alcohol because he had ‘a needle phobia’.
jpco-24-10-12 Crawley Magistrates Court (Pic by Jon Rigby) ENGSUS00120121018122933jpco-24-10-12 Crawley Magistrates Court (Pic by Jon Rigby) ENGSUS00120121018122933
jpco-24-10-12 Crawley Magistrates Court (Pic by Jon Rigby) ENGSUS00120121018122933

Charles Warde, 47, of Silver Birches, Haywards Heath, pleaded guilty at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (April 22) to failing to provide a specimen for analysis being the driver.

Melanie Wotton, prosecuting, said Warde refused to give a roadside breath test outside his address on March 3. He was arrested and taken to a police station where he refused to give a blood sample because he had ‘a needle phobia’, the court heard. Ms Wotton said equipment to carry out a breath test at the station was not working at the time.

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Jill Joyce, defending, said Warde refused to give the breath test after he returned home and had drunk whisky to ease toothache pain.

She said he was approached by officers as he was getting his phone charger from his car.

It was heard Warde used his car to transport his mother who had dementia and he was her sole carer.

Warde got a 17 month driving ban and £150 fine. He was ordered to pay £85 costs and £20 victim surcharge.

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