A LEARNER driver pulled over by police was found to have cocaine and cannabis in his system - but refused a proper test because he does not like needles.

Police arrested Darren Bebb in the car park of McDonalds in Newtown on April 16 this year after he provided positive roadside samples for the two drugs.

However, the 20-year-old later refused to provide further samples for testing at the police station and was charged with failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

Bebb, of Rhallt Drive, Guilsfield, said he had refused to give samples of blood as he is scared of needles. He had denied the charge of failing to supply a sample but changed his plea to guilty on the morning of his scheduled trial in August.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said Bebb had been stopped at around 7.15pm after police had spotted him driving on the Welshpool bypass.

“PC Jones could see the defendant was supervised by his girlfriend as a provisional driver but there were no ‘L’ plates on the car,” said Mrs Tench.

“When the defendant pulled into McDonalds police stopped him. They noticed there was a baby in the back seat and the driver’s eyes were glazed. He gave positive tests for cannabis and cocaine but then refused to give a sample. He said he was scared of needles.

“He had provided a sample, however, in December 2021 (for another matter). There was no level of high impairment.”

Mrs Tench said Bebb is currently a provisional driver because of a previous ban he received for drug driving in May this year, when he was disqualified for 12 months.

Owain Jones, acting for Bebb, a chicken shed worker, said his client had changed his plea when further evidence changed the narrative of the case.

“He said he had a fear of needles, alluding to the previous conviction which was an awful experience where the nurse couldn’t get any blood,” said Mr Jones.

“He still has the fear but accepts it was not an acceptable reason not to provide a sample. It was a deliberate refusal but there is a reason behind it. He was banned on the same day for the other matter so it wasn’t a ploy to avoid a ban.

“I hope you will give him some credit. He has been to Kaleidoscope to address his cannabis use.”

A pre-sentence report was completed by the probation service, with Julain Davies saying: “He had gone to pick his girlfriend’s daughter up who’d been with her grandmother.

“He had smoked cannabis the night before and thought he was OK to drive. Looking back, he should have given the sample and regrets not doing so."

Magistrates ordered Bebb to comply with a 12-month community order, which will include 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 100 hours of unpaid work.

He must pay prosecution costs of £620 as the matter had been listed for trial. He must also pay a £95 surcharge and will be disqualified from driving for three years.