Owner of Worcester Used Car Centre got in trouble with police

Jonathan Wilkinson had become stressed as he was the owner of Worcester Used Car Centre while it was going under, the court heard.

The 50-year-old, of Keswick Drive, Worcester, admitted failing to co-operate with a preliminary roadside breathalyser test when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court. 

Val Hart, prosecuting, said police were called to the business, in Droitwich Road, on November 21 this year. 

"A Ford Mustang vehicle was nearby to Mr Wilkinson who was at work," the prosecutor said. 

COURT: Jonathan Wilkinson walking out of Worcester Magistrates Court (Image: Sam Greenway/Newsquest)

"He was required to provide a specimen of breath - he refused to do so."

The prosecutor said he later did take the test, after being arrested and taken to Worcester Police Station - which showed 76mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

The court heard Wilkinson had a bottle of vodka at work - and admitted he had had a drink after arriving at work.

Mrs Hart said: "In interview he said he had been drinking the night before, a bottle of whiskey and had not drunk anything that morning (before driving).

"He said he had later been drinking at work."

Wilkinson was charged with refusing to provide a specimen - rather than drink-driving.

Mrs Hart added this was because, although Wilkinson was over the limit at the police station, officers could not establish if he had been over the limit when he drove to work - or if it was the later drink at work that took him over the limit. 

Nick Roberts, defending, said Wilkinson had drunk from the bottle of vodka because that morning he faced a creditors meeting with investors who had bankrolled him and to whom he owed a six-figure sum.

COURT: Jonathan Wilkinson appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court

"He couldn't pay them back," Mr Roberts said. 

"The business has since been liquidated and he has paid back half of the amount owed."

Mr Roberts said the dad-of-three was the "sole breadwinner" of the family but financially was struggling having maxed out credit cards and loans.

The solicitor said Wilkinson had, in fact, drunk half the bottle the night before, and had genuinely thought he didn't need to take the test.

Mr Roberts added if Wilkinson had taken the test he might not even have found himself in court. 

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District judge Steven Jonas fined Wilkinson £307 and ordered him to pay a victim surcharge of £123 and costs of £135. 

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Wilkinson's offer to pay the total, £565, at a rate of £100 per month was accepted by the magistrates.

The judge said although he could disqualify Wilkinson from driving he had chosen not to do so, giving him four penalty points.

The judge warned Wilkinson that non-payment of money owed to the court could end up in him being sent to prison before telling him he was free to go.