Huttoft music teacher banned from driving after '˜poor error of judgement'

A music teacher, who admitted he had refused to take a breath test at Louth Police Station, told magistrates that he would lose his livelihood if he was banned from driving.
Court news SUS-150126-112417001Court news SUS-150126-112417001
Court news SUS-150126-112417001

Francis Birkbeck, 31, of Jolly Common Lane, Huttoft, was seen by police at 3.40am on April 10, riding a motor cycle in Louth town centre at speeds up to 40mph and going the wrong way in a one-way street.

He was stopped and gave a positive breath test and was arrested but at the police station he asked to speak to a solicitor which he was allowed to do

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He then demanded to speak to another solicitor but this was refused, and he then refused to give the breath sample.

Birkbeck, who was not represented, told Skegness magistrates on Tuesday (May 17) that it had been a ‘poor error of judgement’ on his part.

Asking the magistrates not to ban him from driving, he told them he would lose his livelihood if they did, but it was explained to him that they had no alternative under law but to do so.

Birkbeck was disqualified from driving for 16 months but was offered the drink drivers’ rehabilitation course which would reduce the period of his ban by 16 weeks.

He was also fined £120 and ordered to pay £115 in costs and charges.