A man was banned from driving at Harrogate Magistrates Court after refusing to provide police officers with a specimen of blood.

Abdulrhman Akoles, of Arncliffe Terrace in Bradford, pleaded guilty to one offence of failing to provide a specimen for analysis on Thursday (June 5).

Mel Ibbotson, prosecuting, told the court police received information about a car travelling southbound on the A1(M) at around 4.15pm on May 20.

Officers located the car just before the Boston Spa exit and stopped the vehicle.

The court heard police told Akoles, who was driving, that he was not the registered keeper of the car.

They could also smell cannabis inside the car and a roadside drug test gave a positive indication.

There was no suggestion of a high level of impairment, the court was told, but officers could smell cannabis when they stopped the defendant. 

Akoles, 24, was arrested and taken to Harrogate Police Station.

Ms Ibbotson said when officers commenced the blood procedure, the defendant told them he was unable to provide a blood sample due to a recent surgery on his back.

He claimed to have had two-to-three pints of blood taken at the time, the court heard.

Akoles was warned he could face prosecution if he failed to provide the sample, but he continued to refuse and talked over officers.

The defendant, who wore a blue suit in court, is of previous good character.

‘I probably won’t be employed after today’

Akoles, who was not legally represented, told the court he was travelling home from work at the time of the offence.

He said:

Akoles works as a construction worker, but he told the magistrates he “probably won’t be employed” after the hearing.

Akoles was banned from driving for 12 months.

He was also ordered to pay an £864 fine, a £346 surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs.