A MECHANIC has been banned from the roads after failing to provide a breath sample to police at the scene of a crash.

Neil Christopher Rivett appeared before magistrates in Hereford for sentencing after he was found guilty in his absence of failing to provide a sample to police at an earlier hearing.

The Herefordshire driver had been found standing at the scene of a crash near Malvern at 7.10pm on October 29, prosecutor Melanie Winterflood said.

Police approached him to ask what had happened, but Rivett immediately became hostile.

Officers at the scene, who suspected Rivett had been drinking, asked him several times to provide a breath sample, but Rivett refused.

The 47-year-old was arrested and taken into custody where he again refused to provide a sample and asked for a doctor, while suggesting that the police were not telling the truth.

Marilena Di Vitantonio, for Rivett, said he did not accept the finding and plans to appeal his conviction.

"He did not attend court on the day," Miss Di Vitantonio said.

"He appeared before magistrates in Kidderminster and a date was fixed for his trial, but that was later vacated and and he was not aware of that. He was sent a letter in the post, but that went to his care of address and he did not get it, so he did not know the new date.

"He works as a mechanic and the loss of his licence is the loss of his livelihood."

Rivett, who is of no fixed address, was disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined £100. He must also pay costs of £250 and a £34 victim surcharge.