A Barrow man has been disqualified from driving for 16 months after he failed to produce a urine sample.

David Andrew Smith, 37, of Ramsden Street,was stopped in the town by police in June and later taken to the police station where he failed to provide a sample.

Speaking at South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, Prosecutor Lee Dacre said: “On June 19 at about 11.35pm the defendant was stopped when he was driving a Ford Focus.

“Officers said his speech was slurred and appeared to be drowsy.

“A roadside test was taken and the defendant was subsequently arrested and examined by a healthcare professional.

“The professional admitted it was hard to get a blood sample due to the defendant’s veins.”

Smith was then given 30 minutes to provide a urine sample, but was unable to and told officers he was not going to try anymore as he wanted to go home.

Smith pleaded guilty to the charge and was given a £180 fine by magistrates alongside his disqualification.

He will also be under curfew for six weeks and required to stay at his Ramsden Street address from 6pm until 6am every day.