Drink driver refused breath test after crash on A617

A Kirkby man with two previous drink-driving convictions refused to be breathalysed after a crash on the A617, a court has heard.
Mansfield Magistrates Court.Mansfield Magistrates Court.
Mansfield Magistrates Court.

Mark William Evans, 31, of Sandfield Road, admitted failing to provide a specimen on April 16, and failing to report to Mansfield police station two days later.

Robert Carr, prosecuting, said: “Mr Evans was spoken to by an officer who said he was unsteady on his feet and his speech was slurred.

“He was asked to put out a cigarette and initially refused.

“Mr Evans said words to the effect that he shouldn’t have drunk so much the previous night.”

He refused a breath test and was arrested.

The court heard he had previous convictions for driving with excess alcohol in January 2011 and June 2007.

Chris Perry, mitigating, said: “The facts aren’t in dispute. Mr Evans will say he wanted to provide a blood or urine sample.

“It avails him of no defence because you don’t get to pick and choose.

“He accepts that he has no defence.”

The court heard Evans, a civil engineer, had hired a van to go camping with his brother-in-law.

Evans told the court he was shocked, confused, and in pain after the accident.

He said he didn’t think he was over the drink drive limit even though he had been drinking the night before.

He was given a 12-month community order and ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.

He must pay an £85 victim surcharge and £85 costs and was banned from driving for three years.

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