A DRIVER refused to provide a specimen of blood for a drug test because he did not want to take a doctor away from patients in need, a court has heard.

Brian Lupton, of Welbury Farm, Newton Aycliffe, was stopped at about 9.30pm on October 4, after an officer noticed his rear lights were not working.

Magistrates sitting at Newton Aycliffe Court, heard how the officer then smelt cannabis on Lupton when he was being spoken to.

Lupton admitted he had smoked the drug the previous night and was taken to Bishop Auckland Police Station after failing a roadside drug test. However, when asked for a blood sample, the 51-year-old refused.

Lupton, who was not represented, said he suffered from anxiety and depression following the death of his father and presumed he would be dealt with after failing the roadside test.

He said: "I would not like to think a doctor came to see me when they could have been helping others. I did not want to waste his time."

Magistrate Kevin Radford, said Lupton had been "foolish" to refuse the test. He was fined £120 and ordered to pay a £30 victim surcharge and £85 costs.