A VAN driver who refused to provide a specimen after being suspected of drink-driving in Bentham has been given a year's ban.

Peter Hansan, 51, was reported to police after witnesses suspected him of drinking and saw him move his van in a car park at Mill Gardens on November 7, Skipton magistrates heard.

When the police arrived, he was asked to provide a roadside breath test, but he refused and swore at the officers, the court was told.

Hansan, from Wales, initially denied failing to provide a specimen, but changed his plea just before Monday's trial.

A man of previous good character, he told the court he was dependent on his vehicle and without it he would have no livelihood.

Hansan, of Hafodunos, Lllangernyw, Conwy, was banned from driving for a year and fined £600. He will also have to pay costs of £200 and a surcharge of £60. If he completes a drink drivers rehabilitation course, his ban will be reduced by three months.

The crown offered no evidence to an additional offence of being drunk and disorderly in a public place on the same day and the charge was withdrawn.