IN a cunning ruse to avoid the breath test a driver blocked the blowing end with chewing gum but was caught doing it by police.

They arrested Charanjit Barriana, aged 37, of Heath Close, Stanwell, and he appeared at Feltham court last week and admitted failing to give a specimen for analysis and was banned for three years with a £455 fine.

Prosecuting, Sally Peters said that at 1 am on May 15th Barriana had pulled into a garage with a flat front tyre. Police spoke to him and smelled alcohol and he said that he had not taken his medicine and had had some drink.

They found when he was being breathalysed he was not blowing properly and when they inspected the machine found he had choked the end with chewing gun. In another test he was found to have a coin in his mouth which made the test impossible.

He refused to give blood because he has a needle phobia and also has a previous conviction for driving with excess alcohol in 1995 when he was banned for a year and fined £150.

Magistrates were told that losing his licence would mean he would lose his job. He had not been drunk and had offered a urine sample but this had been turned down by the police. He was fined £400 with £55 costs and a three year ban with 25 per cent reduction if he completes a rehab course.

May 30, 2003 12:30