A POWYS father reacted “naïvely” when he refused to provide a sample of blood to police who had arrested him for drug driving – after he was told it would take eight hours for a nurse to arrive.
Joseph Jones admitted to police officers who pulled him over on the Welshpool bypass on February 10 that he was a cannabis smoker and that he knew a laboratory test would come back positive.
He said this was why he refused repeatedly to provide a blood sample at hospital following his arrest, after he tested positive for the Class B drug at the roadside.
The 32-year-old must now also complete a 12-month community order, including unpaid work.
Jones, of Powis Court, Welshpool, was sentenced at Welshpool Magistrates’ Court last Tuesday, April 4.
The court heard Jones, who had previously pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to provide a specimen for analysis, told police he was a cannabis user when they pulled him over.
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“He admitted he was a cannabis user, he smokes it to help him sleep,” said prosecutor Molly Rumsey.
“He provided a positive roadside test but replied ‘no’ when asked to provide a blood specimen after his arrest. He has a record but no like offences.”
Paul Inns, acting for Jones, said his client decided to refuse to provide further blood samples because he “didn’t want to waste anyone’s time”.
“Despite the nature of the offence, he was fully cooperative at the roadside,” said Mr Inns.
“He admitted he was a smoker of cannabis, he provided a swab, so you will be wondering why he is in court.
“He engaged with the officers on the way to the station, he was asking what the difference was. He was told a nurse who needed to take the sample was in Aberystwyth and it would take eight hours for her to get there.
“Knowing he was guilty his mindset was ‘I don’t want to waste anyone’s time because I know I’m guilty’. In hindsight, he would have waited and provided.
“There was nothing untoward about the manner of his driving. He has some previous convictions but none for similar offences and no drug-related offences.
“He works shifts and struggles with his sleep. On those occasions, he smokes cannabis. He works as a production operative.
“I would hope you’d be able to keep the disqualification to a bare minimum.”
Jones was ordered to comply with a 12-month community order, which includes 12 rehabilitation activity days and 40 hours of unpaid work.
He was banned from driving for 12 months and must also pay a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.
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