Layne Kurtis Clarke, 27, of Wyatts Lane, Corfe Mullen, has been banned from driving for three years for failing to provide a breath specimen after he was stopped by police.

He was sentenced at Poole Magistrates Court after admitting failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

Clarke is also required to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work in the community and ordered to pay £300 in costs, as well as a victim surcharge of £95.

At around 8pm on Saturday 15 May 2021 a resident in Lancaster Drive in Broadstone heard a loud bang coming from the road outside. They looked out and saw a silver Mercedes had come to a stop on the pavement. The car had a shredded tyre on the offside front of the vehicle and the wheel appeared damage.

A man was seen to get out of the driver’s side of vehicle and walk off toward Corfe Mullen. He appeared to be unsteady on his feet and the witness believed he was intoxicated.

Officers attended and carried out a search of the area. At around 8.20pm a man matching the description was located in Albert Road in Corfe Mullen and was found to be in possession of the keys to the Mercedes.

Officers suspected he was drunk and he was arrested. When Clarke was taken into custody, he was asked to provide a specimen of breath for analysis and he refused. He was subsequently charged with failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

Police Constable Mike Burt, of the traffic unit, said: “Sadly we see all too often the devastating consequences of people driving on our roads while under the influence of drink or drugs and we will do all we can to take action against those suspected of getting behind the wheel when they are intoxicated.

“I hope this case demonstrates that refusing to provide a sample does not result in suspects avoiding punishment and they can still face being banned from the road for a significant period.”