An 'ex-freedom fighter' who lost his licence after claiming he couldn't give police a urine sample because of ongoing issues from experiencing 'torture' has failed to overturn his conviction.

The Leader reported in September how Ali Tajik, of Queen Street in Leeswood, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court for sentence.

He had previously been found guilty of two counts of failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

A probation officer told the court Tajik claimed that whilst acting as freedom fighter in Iran, he was arrested, imprisoned and "tortured" with water for his actions.

This, the court heard, left him with lasting issues when consuming water and was his explanation for why he failed to provide the sample.

His defending solicitor explained he had a problem with authority, and that he was "adamant" he'd been "set up."

The court handed down a £120 fine and £640 costs for each offence, as well as ordering Tajik to pay a £48 victim surcharge.

He was banned from driving for a year-and-a-half.

A hearing was listed at Mold Crown Court on Wednesday morning for 53-year-old Tajik to appeal both his conviction and sentence.

But he didn't turn up.

Elen Owen, prosecuting, told the court: "He did make an appeal in October for the disqualification to be suspended pending this appeal and he is aware of today's proceedings."

She explained two police officers had waited in the court all morning for the hearing and that the prosecution had spent time preparing its case, asking the court to dismiss the appeal and order Tajik to pay costs.

Judge Nicola Saffman agreed, dismissing the appeal and ordering costs in the sum of £760.