Leeswood man loses licence after refusing to give breath sample

Mark Vescio, of County Road in Leeswood, appeared at Mold Magistrates Court on Thursday.

The 49-year-old admitted that on April 22 he failed to provide a specimen of breath when he was required to.

Rhian Jackson, prosecuting, told the court that on the day of the offence, police were called to a domestic incident at an address in Hawarden Road, Caergwrle.

They were told Vescio had left the scene and driven away in a vehicle, potentially intoxicated.

Officers searching for the defendant were told he had been living at a caravan park in Kinnerton, and as they neared that area they spotted a silver Mercedes driving through an open gate.

As the police reversed, they saw a male - Vescio - "scrambling" to shut and secure the gate with a rope, before getting back into the Mercedes and driving off towards the caravan site.

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Officers followed and saw Vescio getting out of the vehicle.

After identifying himself, he became argumentative and refused to give a roadside sample, telling the officers he was on private land.

After being arrested and taken to Llay, he further refused to give a sample of breath.

Bethan Jones, defending, told the court: "This man left the situation you have heard about, moving away from what could have been an ugly incident.

"He was asked to leave, and he did.

"He went to an area of safety, a private piece of land where he had a caravan."

She conceded her client did "take issue" with the arresting officers "encroaching" on the private land, as he didn't believe he was required to give a specimen.

He continued in that belief at the police station, she added.

The court handed down a fine of £400 and ordered him to pay a £34 victim surcharge, as well as £85 costs.

He was also banned from driving for three years.

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