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Prison for drink-drive suspect who failed to complete seven breath tests

Prison for drink-drive suspect who failed to complete seven breath tests

Thursday 09 February 2023

Prison for drink-drive suspect who failed to complete seven breath tests

Thursday 09 February 2023


A suspected drink-driver who failed to complete a breath test four times when stopped by officers - and then a further three times at when taken to Police HQ - has been jailed for 21 weeks.

Richard David Green - four previous convictions for drink-driving - who had was also handed a two-and-a-half-year driving ban in the Magistrate's Court this week.

The 57-year-old was spotted by a member of the public on the evening of 29 December, driving in La Motte Street while apparently intoxicated.

Police stopped him in Colomberie at around 19:50, and he was asked to complete a breath test.

"His speech was slurred, and after four attempts the breath was insufficient," St. Helier Centenier Danny Scaife told the Magistrate’s Court.

Green was taken to the police station to be tested, but Mr Scaife added: "He tried three times and failed to provide the breath."

The court heard that there seemed to be no medical reason why he could not provide a breath sample.

Green pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen for analysis. Advocate Nicholas Mière, defending, suggested a community service or probation order instead of a jail term.

"Mr Green does not drink when he is with his children. He has come to the conclusion that abstinence is the way forward for him. He is looking to change his lifestyle," said the advocate. 

The lawyer also pointed out that his client’s last offence was 12 years ago.

Assistant Magistrate Peter Harris gave Green credit for his guilty plea but said that in view of his previous convictions a prison sentence was merited.

He told him: "There was no evidence of gross impairment, but it was sufficient for a member of the public to phone the police with their concerns."

Green will have to retake his driving test after his disqualification period has come to an end.

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