A suspected drink driver appeared so intoxicated he had to have his shoes put on by officers after his vehicle skidded into a parked car.
Richard Thomline claimed he'd consumed alcohol after the accident but prior to police arriving and had not been behind the wheel while under the influence. However, when the 38-year-old steeplejack was arrested and transported to a police station, he went on to refuse to provide a breath sample.
The foolish decision has now cost Thomline his licence after he appeared at South East Northumbeland Magistrates' Court to face an allegation of failing to provide a specimen of breath and failing to surrender to custody. He had been due in the dock in January but he failed to attend and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
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Prosecutor Rehana Haque said a caller contacted police on December 13 last year to say he'd seen a vehicle skid on ice and collide with his truck in a car park in Northumberland. When he approached the car, he'd gotten into a verbal argument with two males, one of which was Thomline, who'd been driving.
Ms Haque continued: "On arrival of the officers, the defendant was extremely intoxicated. Officers had to put his shoes on. He was arrested."
The court heard that Thomline, of Kayspure Drive, in Peebles, Scotland, initially gave three breath samples at Middle Engine Lane Police Station, in Wallsend, but they were all deemed inadequate or void. However, when asked for further specimens, he refused and appeared to ignore the officer's instructions, Ms Haque said.
Stewart Hay, defending, said Thomline, who has three offences on his record, hadn't showed up for his initial court hearing as he'd been struck working in London. Mr Hay added: "He'd finished a 12-hour shift on the day in question and was extremely tired.
"He and a colleague went to a supermarket and bought alcohol then they went back to the car park and returned to their hotel. His vehicle slid. It did touch another vehicle. There were quite strong words exchanged and he went into the hotel and went to bed.
"He drank five cans of Stella in his room and took his medication. When police arrived, it was after he had drank the alcohol. He tried three times to blow into the breath machine. He told them he had nothing left inside him. He was well and truly intoxicated by that time. He was also tired and had taken his medication."
Thomline was fined £500 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £200 victim surcharge. He was also banned from driving for 12 months.
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