Shildon driver Stephen Drysdale banned after refusing blood sample

County Durham driver Stephen Drysdale, 56, banned for three years after refusing a police blood sample in Spennymoor. <i>(Image: The Northern Echo)</i>
County Durham driver Stephen Drysdale, 56, banned for three years after refusing a police blood sample in Spennymoor. (Image: The Northern Echo)
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A County Durham driver has been banned for three years after admitting he failed to provide police with a blood sample.

Stephen Drysdale, 56, of Dalton Crescent, Shildon, admitted the offence at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on October 19.

The court heard that Drysdale refused a police request for a blood sample in Spennymoor on July 23, during an investigation

Drysdale was given a community order supervised by County Durham and Darlington Magistrates' Court until October 18, 2027.

He can cut the 36-month ban by completing a drink-drive rehabilitation course before December 8, 2028.

The court ordered no costs.

A £114 victim surcharge will be deducted from his benefits, although the court also said a lump sum must be paid within 14 days.

The court took Drysdale’s guilty plea into account.

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