A chef who injured himself after crashing his motorbike on black ice while travelling back from work told a court that he was “scared” when a roadside breath test revealed that he was almost twice the drink drive limit.
Welshpool Magistrates’ Court banned Hugh Gardiner-Hill from driving for two years after he deliberately refused to give a sample at the police station. The 24-year-old said he was “acting out line” and apologised to the court for his behaviour.
Gardiner-Hill had been riding from Bettws Hall, where he claimed to have had just one pint of Hobgoblin beer, after working there as a chef on December 4, when he crashed at about 12.30am.
Helen Tench, prosecuting, said: “Two police officers were following a Honda motorcycle and witnessed it contravening a red traffic light and overtaking a stationary car. The defendant appeared under the influence, had glazed eyes and smelt of alcohol."
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After giving a roadside reading of 67 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, Mrs Tench said: “He was arrested and stated he was injured and wanted to see medical staff and needed painkillers.
"He was assessed by paramedics at 4am who stated that there were no signs of chest trauma and it was clinically appropriate for him to provide a sample.
“Just after 4am the defendant was uncooperative with the procedure and held his hands over his ears and spoke over the officer.
"He was warned that failure to provide a sample would render prosecution. He refused again.”
Gardiner-Hill, who represented himself via video link, said: “I was in a lot of pain. There was no light anywhere and I tried to get to the lights. At the police station I was really worried. I had pain on my left side, and I could hardly walk.
“I was pleading with them to take me to hospital and I was very agitated that after three to four hours I still did not receive medical help. I was acting out of line at that point. I have always held police in high regard."
He added: “I’m really sorry. It was really stupid.”
A pre-sentence report by probation officer Julian Davies said Gardiner-Hill was emotional throughout the interview.
“Mr Gardiner-Hill tells me he had a pint of strong beer after work and had crashed his bike on the way to town due to black ice," he said.
"He says he was in so much pain that he wanted to get to light to see his injuries. He was scared after he blew a roadside test and became agitated at the station due to the realisation he was over the drink drive limit and his medical condition."
As well as the 24-month driving ban, magistrates ordered Gardiner-Hill, who now lives at Geraldine Road, Wandsworth, London, to serve a 12-month community order including 15 rehabilitation requirement days for drugs and alcohol awareness. He must pay a £409 fine, £164 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.
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