A senior citizen has been fined $800 and handed a 12-month road ban after refusing to provide a breath sample following a crash.

Magistrates’ Court heard this morning that Nathaniel Outerbridge was involved in a two-vehicle collision on Knapton Hill at 6.30pm on January 15.

When officers arrived at the scene in Smith’s, they observed that the 71-year-old had glazed eyes and was unsteady on his feet.

After refusing to take a breath test, he was taken to Hamilton Police Station.

In court, Mr Outerbridge insisted he had only drunk two beers and claimed that his wobbly stance was the result of a “messed-up” knee.

However, the defendant caused amusement by pleading guilty to both driving while impaired by alcohol and the alternative charge of failing to provide a sample to police.

Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo clarified Mr Outerbridge’s options, telling him: “If you plead guilty to count one, you get 18 months off the road. If you plead guilty to count two, you get 12 months off the road.”

The defendant responded by admitting the latter charge, prompting the year-long driving ban.

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