A 26-year-old BMW driver who reached 110mph on the M6 has been banned from driving for two years after he failed to provide a breath sample at a police station.
Pardeep Singh, of Tynedale Crescent, Wolverhampton, was pulled over on the northbound carriageway at around 1.30am on August 22, after police spotted his black BMW and followed it for 'a number of miles'.
John Hopkins, prosecuting, told Dudley Magistrates' Court that the car was seen to hit speeds of up to 110mph, but would 'briefly' slow down as it passed speed enforcement cameras.
When the vehicle was stopped, officers noted the driver 'appeared to be intoxicated'. Singh complied with a roadside breath test, but when he was taken into custody and asked to provide an evidential sample, he went 'limp' and 'showed no movement'.
Failed breath test at custody
The court heard that Singh was seen by two nurses at Oldbury Custody Suite, who confirmed there was 'nothing wrong' with him. He was then charged with driving without due care and attention and failure to provide a specimen for analysis.
During the hearing on October 8, Singh admitted both offences. His defence solicitor, Kuldeep Delay, said his client had gone out to celebrate a birthday with friends and had 'no intention to drive'.
The court was told Singh had planned to stay in Birmingham city centre, but received a call from his family telling him his sick father had 'took a turn', so he 'got in the car and drove in the manner that he did'.
Defence cites family emergency
Mr Delay said Singh had 'felt a little unwell' at the police station, adding: "It was so overwhelming for him." He described Singh as a machine operator working on the HS2 development and 'the breadwinner' at home.
The solicitor warned that Singh 'may lose his job' if he was disqualified, but acknowledged 'that is a weight he'll have to bear'.
Magistrates handed Singh a two-year driving ban. However, he was offered a course that could reduce the disqualification by 24 weeks if completed by a certain date.
Sentence and unpaid work
In addition to the ban, Singh must carry out 80 hours of unpaid work and pay a victim surcharge of £114 plus £85 court costs.
The case highlights the consequences of driving at excessive speeds and failing to comply with evidential breath tests, even in circumstances where the driver claims a family emergency prompted the journey.
