SIMON McKenzie, 36, was banned from driving for 29 months and given a 12 month community order for failing to stop when required and later refusing to provide a specimen of blood.

McKenzie, of Church End, Frampton on Severn, admitted both charges at Stroud Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, July 14.

The court heard that he was spotted driving erratically in Whitminster Lane in Frampton before being ordered to pull over by a patrol car on June 14.

Graham Dono, prosecuting, said McKenzie swerved across into the opposite lane several times while being followed for ‘about the length of a football pitch’ before finally coming to a halt.

He was said to be ‘unsteady on his feet’ by officers, who arrested him on suspicion of driving while under the influence of alcohol after he refused to take a road-side breath test because of ‘private medical reasons’.

Later at Stroud police station he also refused to provide a specimen of blood for analysis and was held in custody over night.

Joan Hughes, defending, said McKenzie was ‘extremely remorseful’ for his actions the next morning and added that he was going through ‘a great deal of turmoil in his private life’ due to the loss of his job as an IT manager and the breakdown of his marriage.

As well as the ban and community order, McKenzie was also ordered to pay £85 costs.