A SUSPECTED drug driver refused to give police a blood sample after being stopped near Penrith because he feared catching Covid-19, a court heard.

The claim was put before magistrates at Carlisle’s Rickergate Court as they sentenced motorist Albert Demaj, 45, who pleaded guilty to an allegation of failing to provide a specimen for analysis with no reasonable excuse.

Prosecutor Pam Ward told the court that the defendant was stopped on April 2 after police witnessed him driving at 90mph on a dual carriageway section of the A66 in his Audi A6 car.

The speed limit that section of road is 70mph.

Mrs Ward said: “The defendant was asked to take a drugs swipe test, which gave a positive indication for cocaine. Mr Demaj was therefore arrested and taken into custody at Carlisle.”

MORE FROM COURT: Teenager who asked for directions was drink driving

But once at the station, Demaj refused to provide an evidential blood specimen and so he was charged with the offence he had now admitted.

Duncan Campbell, defending, told magistrates: “He takes issue with regard to his manner of driving and the reason for the police stopping him. He would say that he wasn’t driving at excessive speed.

“There was no particular reason he should have been stopped in the first place. He went through the whole alcohol procedure and there was a zero reading. In relation to the police investigation, the preliminary test indicated the presence of cocaine.”

Mr Campbell said the defendant’s recollection was that he had enjoyed a “social joint” and was open and honest with police about this. “He wasn’t happy with the police officers’ attitude,” continued the lawyer.

“It might have been a communication problem.

“He felt very much intimidated at the police station. He didn’t know what to do and requested to speak to his solicitor but the solicitor was in London and out partying and there was no reply, so he didn’t get legal advice.

“In relation to the provision of a blood sample, his fear was of contracting covid and being exposed to the virus by going through that procedure.” Mr Campbell said he had advised Demaj, from Norman Road, Rugby, that the potential risk of contracting covid from the procedure was not a reasonable excuse.

The lawyer added that the defendant was now likely to lose his job – which involved driving - as a result of the inevitable ban.

Magistrates imposed a one-year community order with 60 hours of unpaid work. Demaj was banned for 17 months and must pay £85 costs and a £95 victim surcharge.

MORE FROM COURT: M6 motorist was transporting £80k of cannabis