Snettisham man Paul Bateson in King’s Lynn court after defying police over alcohol sample

A man “gave into the temptation” to defy the police following a day of hard luck.

Paul Bateson, 47, of Roosters Close in Snettisham, was sitting in his car following an argument with his wife on May 27 when the police were called.

Officers had received reports that a drunk man was in charge of a vehicle.

He was sitting in the front seat when they arrived, and after a roadside breath test, he was taken into custody to provide an evidential sample. However, he refused to do so.

Officers felt that he was being deliberately obstructive.

Bateson appeared at Lynn Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, where he pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

Mitugating, duty solicitor George Sorrell said: “I think it is important I explain what happened here.

“The defendant, on May 27, made three very big mistakes. His first mistake was to get involved in an argument with his wife.

“The second mistake was to leave the house and sit in the car, which was parked outside - no intention of going anywhere.

“Had he gone for a walk, that would have been better. Arguments happen sometimes between a husband and wife, and it is better to go for a walk to cool off.

“His third mistake was to refuse to give a sample to the police. Everything had gone wrong for him that day - arguments with the wife, being arrested by the police… he gave into the temptation to be obstructive.”

Magistrates fined Bateson £332, while he will also pay a £133 victim surcharge and £85 in court costs.

They opted against disqualifying him from driving, and instead handed him ten penalty points.