A DRIVER who drove through a road block and then refused to take a blood test is starting a 28-month driving ban with a £3,710 court bill.

Richard Raynor, 49, is one of an increasing number of drivers refusing to take breath or blood tests when caught, say police.

“It’s possible that some drivers think that behaving like this will somehow give them a ‘get out of jail free’ card,” said traffic sergeant Andy Morton, of North Yorkshire Police.

“But both the police and the courts take a dim view of people who fail to provide.

“In this case, magistrates have imposed a very significant fine and a lengthy driving ban, which should serve as a very stark warning to other motorists.

“If you’re arrested on suspicion of drink or drug driving, refusing to co-operate only makes things worse in the long run.”

Raynor, of Staithes near Whitby, pleaded guilty to failure to provide a specimen of blood before Scarborough Magistrates Court.

He was fined £3,455 plus a £170 statutory surcharge and £85 prosecution costs.

He drove an Audi S3 through a police road block on June 14 where officers were dealing with an incident in Ryedale.

Police stopped him and suspecting that he was driving after taking drugs arrested him, the court heard.