A DPD delivery driver who was suspected of drug driving after a shift refused to give police a blood sample because he'd already given one the previous day, a court has heard.

Darren Roberts, aged 35, was sentenced to a 12-month community order and given a three-year driving ban after he pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen at Newtown Police Station on July 16.

Welshpool Magistrates' Court heard Roberts was stopped by the same police officer on two consecutive days.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said Roberts "deliberately refused" to give a sample of blood at the police station because he had already given one less than 24 hours previously.

Robert Hanratty, mitigating, said: "There was no fault with the driving and there was no suggestion of impairment. He was stopped by the same PC the day before and obviously a conversation took place where the defendant was uncooperative when he got to the station.

County Times:

"Here is a bit of targeting among cannabis users, and very few cases involve impaired driving.

"It was a conscious refusal to provide a specimen. He’s not trying to thwart a high reading; it was a poor exchange on the day in question.

"He was working as a driver, that’s now gone but his employer is willing to take him on a part time basis in the warehouse. He’s very fond of his driving job."

Magistrates ordered Roberts, of Maes yr Efail, Bettws Cedewain to complete 60 hours of unpaid work and 15 rehabilitation requirement days as part of his community order which will include advice and guidance with drugs and consequential thinking.

He must also pay a £119 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.