Man punched himself in face to avoid breath test

Mansfield magistrates were told how on the same evening of his arrest Steven Andrews (26), of Priestsic Road, had been sent some upsetting pictures by his girlfriend.

Emma Goodall, defending, said: “She sent him some pictures which illustrated she was no longer his girlfriend and was with someone else.

“Some friends suggested they drive to the petrol station to clear his head and get some air.”

Robert Carr, prosecuting, said Andrews had staggered out of his car after being pulled over by police and then blown around the breathalyser rather than into it.

Mr Carr said the Sutton man had to be restrained at the police station after punching himself in the face and head and head-butting the door and walls at the after his arrest, thereby making it impossible for officers to take his breath sample.

Ms Goodall said: “When the officer said he was arresting Mr Andrews, at that point he had gone into himself .

“He suffers from anxiety and depression and at that point knew everything was going wrong and decided to hurt himself.”

Andrews was ordered to undertake a supervision requirement with probation, pay a £60 victim surcharge, £40 court costs and was banned from driving for three years.

Andrews was not offered a drink driving course due to a previous conviction.