A GRANDFATHER who refused to give a breath sample after being involved in a Powick crash has been fined by magistrates.

John Chamberlain, admitted to a charge of failing to provide a specimen for analysis after officers said he “smelt of alcohol” when they attended his address in Shap Drive, Warndon.

The court heard Chamberlain had exchanged details with another motorist following a collision involving his Volkswagen Passat and another vehicle in Powick on Tuesday, June 26.

Officers went to his home after the owner of the other vehicle told them they thought Chamberlain had been drinking.

The 67-year-old, who suffers from emphysema, was taken to Worcester Police Station where he refused to be breathalysed without speaking to a solicitor.

Shafquat Reaz, prosecuting, said: “When requested to provide two breath specimens he refused saying he wanted to speak to his solicitor.”

Paul Stanley, defending, said: “He was of the view he was entitled to see legal representation before getting the readings. That is not the case. Given the circumstances he has put in a guilty plea - he just didn’t understand what the law was.”

He added that Chamberlain takes his 10-year-old grandson to school and that a ban would stop him doing this.

Magistrates acknowledged that some people may be confused about their legal rights but disqualified Chamberlain for 16 months.

He was also fined £120 and ordered to pay £135 in court costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

He was offered a drink-drive rehabilitation course, which if completed to a satisfactory standard will reduce his ban by 16 weeks.

He appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court on Thursday, July 12.