Local man refused to give blood sample due to fear of needles

A man from Newtown has been given a 12-month community order with 40 days of unpaid work and a 12-month driving ban after he refused to give a blood sample to police who stopped him for speeding and a defective headlight.

Barry Leek, 39, of Cae Cymric, Newtown, tested positive for drugs in a roadside test, but told police he was scared of needles and did not want to give a blood sample at the station.

Leek pleaded guilty to failing to provide a blood sample when he appeared at Welshpool Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

His lawyer told the court that Leek had taken medication for a tooth abscess and was worried about a false positive test result. Leek also admitted to being a regular cannabis user and said he had used the drug two days before he was stopped by police.

The court heard that Leek was at a medium risk of reoffending and a low risk of harm. In addition to the community order and driving ban, he was ordered to pay a £114 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.