A ‘flippant’ and ‘obnoxious’ van driver lost his job, his licence and £647 when he failed to provide a breath sample after leaving the scene of an accident

Andrew Smith, of Hunwick Walk, Stockton-on-Tees, pleaded guilty to failing to provide a breath sample for analysis and failing to stop following an accident when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates on Tuesday, August 7.

Vaughan Pritchard-Jones, prosecuting, told the court that Smith was driving a white Peugeot van along Bush Hill, Pembroke Dock, on July 20, when he collided with a Seat Ibiza as it waited for traffic lights to turn green.

“The defendant did not realise he was stationary and drove into the back of him. The police received a call saying he had driven off in the direction of Pennar, and saw the van not far away.”

Smith provided a positive roadside breath test and was taken to Haverfordwest police station, where he was described as being ‘flippant at times and obnoxious at others’, and ‘not taking the procedure seriously’.

He provided four partial samples, which suggested he was more than double the limit, but failed to provide an evidential specimen for analysis.

Mike Kelleher, defending, said Smith, 36, made a misjudgement at the traffic lights and had expected the Seat to move.

“He panicked and drove off.”

Mr Kelleher added that Smith had parked up and stayed with his vehicle around the corner following the crash, and was not trying to escape justice.

“This was a works van and he had to resign from his job as a result of this. Fortunately, he has managed to obtain another job in Bristol.

“He is at a loss as to why he was unable to provide a sample at the roadside but not at the police station. He says he is a heavy smoker which may have something to do with it.”

Magistrates fined Smith £266 for each offence and ordered to pay £115 in court costs and a surcharge.

He was banned from driving for 12 months.

The chairman of the bench said: “The police do not deserve to be treated like that.”