A Brighton lorry driver has been banned from driving for three years after he refused to take a breath test.
Priit Oja, 39, of Lynchet Close, Hollingdean, pleaded guilty to the charge at Brighton Magistrates’ Court today (Thursday 30 November).
He also admitted driving without insurance when he appeared before District Judge Tessa Szagun.
Oja was arrested by Sussex Police on suspicion of drink driving on the A259 King’s Road, on Brighton seafront, on Sunday 22 October.
The court was told that Oja refused to blow in the breath-testing device.
He said that he had been safe to drive although he admitted that he regularly drank small amounts of alcohol but denied having a drink problem.
The judge said that she did not accept that he would have been safe to drive and said that she had no choice but to ban him.
As well as a three-year ban, which will cost him his job, Oja, an Estonian, was ordered to carry out 200 hours of community service over the coming year.
He was given 14 days to pay £85 prosecution costs and an £85 victim surcharge.
