Man seen leaving the scene of a road traffic accident refused to stop when challenged by police

Blackburn magistrates heard Thomas Howard Beard went into his caravan on a site on Longsight Road, Clayton-le-Dale and told police they could not come in without a warrant.

And a community support officer was assaulted as he and colleagues carried out the arrest.

Beard, of Acorn Lodge Stables, Clayton-le-Dale, was convicted in his absence of assaulting an officer in the execution of his duty and failing to provide a specimen for analysis. He was sentenced to six weeks in prison suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay £200 compensation and £100 costs. His licence was endorsed with 10 penalty points which took him beyond the totting level of 12. The magistrates did not impose a ban because it would cause exceptional hardship for the self employed, father-of-six.

Parveen Akhtar, prosecuting, said when the case was proved it had been accepted by the prosecution there was no evidence to show Beard was the driver. Another man was also arrested leaving the scene.

Neal Topham, defending, said it could not be proved Beard was driving the car but it was accepted the officers had the right to arrest him and request a breath sample.

"He was in his caravan and didn't feel he should be arrested," said Mr Topham. "He was taken to hospital to be treated for injuries he suffered as he was being arrested."