A SUSPECTED drink-driver who didn't give police a breath test couldn't blow hard enough as he had had tonsilitis, a court heard.

Liam O'Callaghan, 18, had given a positive roadside test but did not give a sample at the police station despite being asked five times, Burnley magistrates were told.

The defendant, of Pine Street, Nelson, admitted failing to provide a specimen of breath, no insurance and no licence. He was told to pay £250 in fines and costs and was banned for 18 months.

Sue Campbell, prosecuting, told the court in the early hours of March 25, police saw the defendant turn into the White Bear car park in Barrowford. They spoke to O'Callaghan who smelled of drink and asked him to provide a sample.

At the police station the defendant became unco-operative and made almost no effort to provide a breath test.

Sue Robinson, defending, said O'Callaghan had been asked to drive his friend's car a short distance to the car park. He accepted he had been drinking but did not realise he would be over the limit.

He had tonsilitis and was not able to blow hard enough into the machine at the police station. He had tried and tried but couldn't.

Miss Robinson continued: "He has been told a sore throat is not sufficiently good reason to raise in defence."