Gardener banned from the roads after failing to provide a breath test

Paul Robert Mansell admitted the offence when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford.

Mansell had been found in the cab of a Ford Transit van with the engine running in Bromyard at 10.30pm on April 5, prosecutor Shafquat Reaz said.

Police decided to breath test him for alcohol, but the 43-year-old was taken into custody after failing to provide an adequate breath sample at the roadside.

But the self-employed gardener again failed to provide an adequate sample at the police station, and refused to provide a blood sample.

Marilena Di Vitantonio, for Mansell, said he had not deliberately refused to provide a breath sample.

"He tried to blow into the machine on three occasions, but it did not read his breath," Miss Di Vitantonio said.

"He said at the time that the machine could have been faulty, but he now accepts the offence. He has breathing problems and was suffering with broken ribs at the time.

"I understand that police were called in relation to another matter, but he was sat in his van when they arrived and at that point they saw a bottle of alcohol."

Mansell, of Bringsty Common, was disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined £120. He must also pay costs of £135 and a £34 victim surcharge.