Sutton man couldn’t blow for breathalyser because he'd been punched in the mouth
A Sutton man who was unable to blow into a police breathalyser because he'd been punched in the mouth narrowly avoided a driving ban, a court has heard.
Harpreet Singh was found in the driver's seat with red and glazed eyes and the rear lights on after police were contacted about a separate incident, on January 1, Mansfield magistrates were told.
He was unable to seal his lips around the breathalyser at the police station.
Charnelle Turner, mitigating, said he sustained a "significant injury to his lip and mouth" after a family argument which resulted in dislodged teeth. She said he told the police he was hurt and repeated there was a language barrier but an interpreter was not made available.
"He tried to blow five times and was told to seal his lips," she said. "On a different day this would be a not guilty plea. He simply couldn't do it. There was a genuine attempt to comply."
She said the Sports Direct worker, who earns £375 per week, supports his wife and two children. "He also does Uber deliveries on the side so this will have a big impact on his income," Ms Turner said. "He was really frank in saying that he had two drinks.
Singh, aged 37, of Stanton Crescent, admitted failing to co-operate with a preliminary test, when he appeared at Mansfield Magistrates Court, on Tuesday. He was fined £250 with a £100 surcharge and £85 costs. His licence was endorsed with ten penalty points.