Hartlepool man who refused to give a breath test to cops has been banned from driving

A Hartlepool man who refused to give a breath test to cops has been banned from driving.
The case was heard at Teesside Magistrates' Court.The case was heard at Teesside Magistrates' Court.
The case was heard at Teesside Magistrates' Court.

Mitchell Wright, 21, of the town’s Wynyard Road, admitted threatening behaviour and failing to give a specimen when he appeared before Teesside Magistrates’ Court.

Saba Shan, prosecuting, said police were called to Catcote Road in the town at around 10.50pm on Wednesday, November 13, following reports of a white van being driven by someone who was believed to be drunk.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

She said officers arrived and stopped the van, which was being driven by Wright.

Ms Shan said: “He was requested to take the breath test and refused to do so three times.”

She said police told him to get out of the van and he refused and started becoming abusive and was arrested for a public order offence.

Neil Taylor, defending said Wright is a young man with no previous convictions who has special needs and a learning difficulty and also takes medication for diabetes.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said: “His mum says he will have panicked because he is on the edge of having autism and he will have panicked by the police arriving.”

Mr Taylor said when Wright got to the police station he told the custody officer he was prepared to give a blood sample, but refused to give a breath sample.

He said: “He remains adamant to me, as he did at the time, that he had not been drinking.”

Wright was banned from driving for 18 months and fined a total of £160 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £32 surcharge.