A FORMER member of the British Army refused to co-operate with a police line of inquiry into a suspected drink driving offence, a court heard.

Andrew Robinson, 52, of Mill Bank in Barrow, pleaded guilty at the first opportunity to failing to provide a specimen of breath for analysis and resisting arrest when he appeared at South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court.

Prosecutor Lee Dacre said officers received a report from a florist owner on Ainslie Street in Barrow detailing that the defendant had driven off from the store after ‘smelling of alcohol’.

Mr Dacre said Robinson was ‘evasive’ when PC Reynolds attended his home address at 3pm on June 15 to follow up on the line of inquiry.

The court heard there was a ‘struggle’ when the defendant refused PC Reynolds's request to complete an alcohol breath test.

In mitigation, Andy Gallaher said his client suffered tendon damage as a result of the officer placing a handcuff on his left wrist ‘very tightly’.  

Mr Gallagher said: “The officer caused a great deal of physical pain to the defendant which is why he has reacted how he has.

“He would accept he had been drinking and understands what he should have done.

“He tells me he has had a significant alcohol usage problem for 40 years of his life and that he is alcohol dependent.

“This incident has led to him taking stock of his life. He is going to go into detox in Lancaster.”

Addressing magistrates, the defendant said he had previously served in the army and that he was now receiving help from Recovery Steps in Barrow to address his alcohol addiction.

Chairman of the bench Michael Halshaw said: “It is clear that alcohol is a major issue in your life.

“We are going to impose an interim driving disqualification and adjourn sentence until July 31 for probation to conduct a pre-sentence report.”