A HAVERFORDWEST man pleaded guilty to failing to provide specimen for analysis in the local magistrates court on Monday.
Ethan John Mathias, aged 20, of Barn Street, initially pleaded not guilty, but changed his plea on the day of his trial. Prosecutor, Vaughan Pritchard- Jones said: “On March 23 at 4.10am, an officer on Freemans Way saw a BMW pull out of the council car park. When he saw the police vehicle, he reversed back into the junction and collided with a Mini, causing minor damage. “The officer pulled him over and could smell alcohol on his breath. He conducted a roadside sample, which gave a reading of 89 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. He was arrested and agreed to provide samples, although at some stages sucked half way through, therefore aborting the reading. He did provide one part sample of 76, although this may not be a true reading. He made no medical reference as to why he couldn’t provide a specimen.” Defence solicitor, Jonathan Webb said: “He was out with friends and had been driving all night. He had one drink and thought he was below the limit. I don’t think he was sucking on purpose, he had been to A&E a few days previously regarding shortness of breath, although he didn’t go to any follow up appointments and therefore there has been no diagnosis.” Magistrates told the defendant: “This matter is very serious. You should never drink and drive,” and disqualified him for 17 months. He was also fined £290 as well as £250 costs and £29 victim surcharge.
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