A suspected drink-driver refused to provide a blood sample in a police station by claiming he had a fear of needles.
Shaun Beardsley was uninsured and driving otherwise in accordance with a licence when he was stopped by officers while illegally behind the wheel of his girlfriend's car in North Tyneside. The 26-year-old was arrested after failing a roadside breath test and taken to a police station.
A court heard that Beardsley gave further breath samples while in custody but one proved to be void and he was asked to provide a blood sample instead, which he refused. Despite warnings, Beardsley repeatedly said he would not be giving a blood specimen as he was "scared of needles", although he later had no medical evidence to prove this.
