A man who said he couldn't give a breathalyser test because he had suffered from pneumonia refused to give blood because he had a fear of needles.

Blackburn magistrates heard David Lee Tucker also failed to turn up for his trial.

Tucker, 52, if Wood Street, Darwen, was convicted in his absence of failing to provide a specimen for analysis. He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 25 days Rehabilitation Activity Requirement.

He was banned from driving for 20 months and ordered to pay £200 costs and £114 victim surcharge.

Bilal Saeed, prosecuting, said Tucker had been stopped by police after they received intelligence of a possible drink driver.

He failed a roadside test and then refused the options at the police station.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said his client had long standing mental health problems with anxiety being a common theme.

"It wasn't a deliberate refusal at the police station, he was experiencing significant difficulties," said Mr Taylor. "On the day he was due to attend at court he had a complete meltdown, panic attack. He went back to bed and hid under the covers for two days."