A MOTORCYCLIST who claimed he was scared of needles has been banned from the roads.

Keiran James Allton admitted failing to provide a blood sample for analysis when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford on September 16.

Prosecutor Ralph Robyns Landricombe said police had received a report of a drunk man and a motorbike on fire in Whitbourne at 11.45pm on August 13.

Police and fire crews were sent to the scene, where Allton was pointed out as the rider of the bike.

Officers said the 21-year-old had appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, and he was arrested after failing a roadside breath test.

But when put inside the police van, Allton, who is from Moat Crescent, Malvern, started banging his head on the cage before vomiting in the back of the van.

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He was taken to hospital as a precaution, where blood was requested for an evidential test.

But Allton refused to provide a sample, telling officers he was scared of needles.

Chris Read, for Allton, said he had gone to a friend's house in Whitbourne that evening.

"He had an amount of alcohol and was planning to take his bike a very short distance to another friend's house, and the second friend was going to take him home," Mr Read said.

"He could have left his bike at the first friend's house, but felt it would be safer at the second friend's house.

"During that journey, he ran off the road into the verge, and the bike fell over and caught fire. He called the fire service, and they called the police."

Mr Read said he had spoken to Allton about needle phobias, and that Allton had accepted he does not like needles but does not have a full-blown needle phobia.

Allton was disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined £200. He must pay costs of £135 and a £34 victim surcharge.