A SCAFFOLDER claimed he failed to give a blood sample after being stopped for drink-driving because he was scared of needles.

Daryl Benjamin Archer admitted failing to provide a specimen for analysis when he appeared before Furness Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

Prosecutor Mr Lee Dacre told the hearing: "Police were on uniformed patrol about midnight on July 23 when they saw a silver car driving at 50mph on Roose Road, which has a 30mph speed limit.

"He was pulled over nearby and breath tested and found to be twice the legal drink drive limit and was arrested. At the police station they tied to use the intoxication machine but it wasn't working so it couldn't be used.

"He was then asked to provide a blood sample but he repeatedly refused.

"He said he was scared of needles and had fainted in the past when giving blood."

Archer, 24, of Bridgegate Avenue, Barrow, was represented in court by defence solicitor Mr Trystan Roberts.

He told the hearing: "This was a fairly unusual set of circumstances in that this defendant had had something to drink and gave a positive roadside test.

"The machine was broken and that was not his fault or anything to do with him and if it had been working he would have been charged with an alternative offence.

"As well as the positive breath test but he couldn't give blood as he has a phobia of needles and has fainted giving blood on a number of occasions. He offered to do a urine test but this was refused by the police.

"It was an honestly held but unreasonable excuse."

Magistrates fined him £250 and ordered him to pay £85 towards court costs plus a £35 victim surcharge.

He was also banned from driving for 12 months.