A man who was found driving around in a stolen car refused to cooperate with police after he was arrested on suspicion of drink driving.

Blackburn magistrates heard Levi Walsh was abusive and aggressive at the police station and refused to provide a specimen for analysis.

Walsh, 30, of the Salvation Army Hostel, Heaton Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty failing to provide a specimen for analysis, driving without a licence or insurance and failing to comply with post sentence supervision. He was jailed for 12 weeks and banned from driving for 30 months.

Glenn Anderton, prosecuting, said police were alerted to the possibility of a stolen vehicle which had been spotted at the Peel Centre, Whitebirk Drive. An officer saw the car drive onto the Aldi car park.

The officer went to speak to the driver and saw opened alcohol containers in the vehicle. Walsh, who was behind the wheel, was clearly drunk and was arrested on suspicion of drink driving.

“He refused to answer any questions and was extremely uncooperative at the custody desk,” said Mr Anderton.

“He was obstructive and abusive and refused to provide a breath test.”

Aftab Bakhat, defending, said his client’s unacceptable behaviour was born out of frustration.

“He had been engaging with the relevant agencies and had been drink and drug free for some time,” said Mr Bakhat.

“He got to the stage where he thought he could have a casual drink to reward himself but a casual drink turned into a binge.”