A suspected drug driver brazenly told officers "I just don't want to give it to you" when asked why he'd refused to give a blood sample.
Awais Azam had been arrested for failing a roadside breath and saliva test after police had been called to a junction on the A1, in West Yorkshire, at around 7.30am on October 14 last year. Officer's had found the 51-year-old's badly damaged car at the scene and he was detained on suspicion of drug driving.
A court heard that, once back at the police station, Azam was asked to provide a blood sample but he refused. Paul Clark, prosecuting, added: "He was told that his refusal could lead to a prosecution and he replied 'no' again. He was asked if there was a medical reason why he couldn't provide, he said 'no, I just don't want to give it to you.'"
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Newcastle Magistrates' Court heard that Azam, of Severus Road, in Fenham, had 40 offences on his record, including one for driving while unfit. He later told officers he'd been out in Halifax and had been involved in an altercation, which was when his car had been damaged.
Alanna Wesencraft, defending, said Azam had received some injuries as a result of that altercation and was driving away from it. Ms Wesencraft added: "His elderly father is back living with him and he's got quite a lot of health difficulties. He's quite a difficult patient. Mr Awan himself is still awaiting MRI scans."
Azam pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen of blood and was given 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. He was also banned from driving for 32 months and must pay £85 costs and a £154 victim surcharge.
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