A Milford man has been fined and banned from driving for a year after admitting a series of motoring offences in court.
Forty-eight-year-old John Martin Jervis, of Monnow Close, Steynton, pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen for analysis when stopped by police driving a vehicle at Pengawse Hill in Whitland on the A40 road, on May 14.
The defendant also admitted driving a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence and without third party insurance.
Prosecutor Abul Hussain told the court that police stopped Mr. Jervis on a Sunday and asked whether he had been drinking or taken any illegal substances.
“He admitted to officers that he had taken heroin. A roadside breathtest proved negative. Mr. Jervis was arrested on suspicion of driving whilst unfit through drugs, but when he was taken to the police station he refused to provide a blood sample for analysis,” explained Mr. Hussain.
Defence solicitor David Williams said that his client had no previous relevant convictions.
“He refused the request for a sample at the police station as he knew through bitter experience that he has collapsed veins and knew how painful it can be for even his doctor to find a vein.
“I am not trying to suggest that he had lawful excuse, but he had a human excuse.
“Mr. Jervis was not deliberately being obstructive, but he knew the consequences. He has suffered with drug addiction problems for a significant period of time.
“The silver lining from this arrest and charge is that he has been referred to the Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service and is voluntarily attending appointments with them,” added Mr. Williams.
Magistrates disqualified Mr. Jervis from driving for 12 months and he was ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £395.
He was also given nine penalty points for the offences of driving with a provisional licence and having no insurance.