A LABOURER who gave a positive roadside drug wipe failed to provide a blood sample in police custody because he told police he had 'a needle phobia'.

Kyle Tayler, 25, of Daniel Fold Lane in Catterall in Lancashire, had been stopped by a police patrol car in Northwich on August 5, because the Ford Focus he was driving had a light out.

Chester Magistrates Court heard how Tayler, who had a previous conviction for drink driving, also failed to provide two urine samples after initially agreeing to do so.

He pleaded guilty to the charge of failing to provide a specimen for analysis as well as to a charge of being in possession of a Class B drug, in this case, cannabis.

Debbie Byrne, prosecuting, said it was just after 11pm when police, out on a routine patrol, noticed a Ford Focus driving in the opposite direction on Manchester Road.

She said: "Due to the adverse weather conditions and the speed the vehicle was driving, they followed Mr Taylor before he was stopped on Griffiths Road.

"When officers approached the car, they detected a strong smell of cannabis coming from inside the cabin.

"Whilst in the rear of the police vehicle, officers observed Taylor beginning to rummage in the front pocket of his hooded top.

"He was searched, and officers found a small amount of cannabis.

"After providing a positive road side swab, Taylor was taken to Middlewich custody suite and once there was told he would be required to provide a blood sample, however, he told officers he had a needle phobia."

After failing to provide officers with a sample of his blood, Taylor, who revealed to officers he suffers from ADHD, was requested to provide two urine samples instead, but failed to do so.

Steve Coupe, defending, told the bench how Taylor was a new driver having only passed his test a year ago, but had now had his license revoked after incurring ten penalty points.

He said: "He was stopped due having to a light out.

"He failed a drug wipe at the scene and was taken into custody where officers presumably accepted his reasons for not being able to provide a blood sample.

"He was then requested to provide two urine samples within an hour which he agreed to, but ultimately failed to do.

"I would respectfully submit that this is a matter of a failure rather than him actually refusing to do so."

Chair of Magistrates Jean Bamford told Taylor: "Your driving record since you have been driving is not exactly something to proud of, is it?"

She disqualified him from driving for a period of 24 months, a longer ban due to him having previous convictions, and fined him £280. He must also pay costs of £85 and a surcharge of £34.

"I can't stress enough that if you get behind the wheel of a car in the next 24 months, there will be a strong possibility you might end up going to prison," she warned him.