BRICKLAYER Ryan Linsley failed to provide a specimen after he was arrested by police for a suspected drink drive offence.

Linsley's solicitor Roger Jones said his client had at one point in the police station agreed to provide a sample of blood but became confused later and refused.

Linsley, 26, of Beckhampton Road, Devizes, was arrested after police were called to a single vehicle road accident near Honeystreet Farm, near Pewsey, on May 2 last year.

The Wiltshire police helicopter was deployed and located Linsley using its thermal imaging equipment.

Mr Jones said: "My client's van had broken down and he drove it off the road after which the police were mobilised. He failed to understand that the police could arrest him and he was angry about what was going on.

"At the police station he was prepared to co-operate at one point in the procedure."

At a previous hearing, Linsley was found guilty of failing to provide a sample and driving the van without insurance. Magistrates were due to sentence him on Tuesday but adjourned the case because the court could not locate up to date information about any previous convictions.