A MOTORIST stopped by police near Settle because he had been seen 'weaving about' on the road refused to provide a breath test, heard Skipton magistrates.

Asa Chad Boardman, 38, had argued with family members and was driving to Manchester from Barrow in Furness two days after Christmas when he was reported to police because of his manner of driving.

He was stopped as he turned off the A65 onto the B6480 at Buckhaw Brow, and although he told police he knew he was over the limit, he refused to take a roadside test, the court heard on Friday.

He smelt of drink, was agitated and aggressive, and at the station, he again refused all attempts to be tested, the court was told.

Boardman, of Newport, Wales, who admitted failing to provide a specimen for analysis on December 27, had previously received a three year ban for drink-driving, in 2003, and had other drink-related convictions.

Magistrates told him he could have been sent to prison, but was instead given a 12 month community order with supervision and 200 hours unpaid work, and was banned from driving for 36 months.

In mitigation, Jill Darrington, said Boardman had argued with his long term partner, with who he lived with in Wales, and then with his uncle, in Barrow in Furness, and was on his way to Manchester, where he originally came from, when he was stopped.

She said Boardman, a labourer, had been very emotionally charged at the time and was now ashamed of how he had behaved with the officers.

The court heard he lived in the middle of the Brecon Beacons and being banned from driving would make life very difficult.

As part of his 12 month community order, with supervision, Boardman, of Coed Celynen Drive, Abercarn, Newport, Gwent, will have to carry out 14 sessions of a drink impaired driving course. He will also have to pay costs of £85 and victims surcharge of £60.