Driver arrested in medical centre car park refused to cooperate with police or court

An Isle of Wight man who refused to cooperate with police, the probation service and court magistrates has been disqualified from driving for 17 months.

Danny Burnett, of Wellesley Way, Newport, attended the Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court for sentencing on Friday, June 28, after previously pleading guilty to failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

Lauren Stone, prosecuting, said police spotted a Ford Mondeo on St George’s Approach in Newport at 9.20am and suspected it had no insurance.

Officers pulled the vehicle over at Carisbrooke Medical Centre, where the driver, Burnett, told police he was a regular cannabis user.

Burnett failed a roadside DrugWipe and officers noted that the 62-year-old was struggling to walk and slurring his words, leaving his car in the middle of the car park with the engine still switched on.

Ms Stone told the court that, at the police station, Mr Burnett refused a blood test and was described by police as ‘disruptive’ due to his ‘angry and rude’ attitude.

Oscar Vincent, defending, said his client suffers from various health issues, which cause him limited mobility, and he has a terminal illness.

At Carisbrooke Medical Centre, police surrounded him and 'manhandled' him during the arrest, causing him high anxiety, the defence said.

Mr Vincent said a driving ban would essentially put him under house arrest because of his mobility issues.

“He would be left as a prisoner in his own home,” said Mr Vincent.

Mr Vincent said his client had not completed a pre-sentence report due to medical issues causing continual pain and high anxiety.

Magistrates attempted to adjourn the case, with conditions that a pre-sentence report must be completed, but Burnett refused to cooperate.

He told magistrates he would not be “interrogated” by the “corrupt and unfair” judicial system, adding: “If I go to prison, then I go to prison.”

Magistrates handed him a 17-month driving disqualification and ordered him to pay a £200 fine, £85 in costs and an £80 surcharge.