Lee Ryan attended Ealing Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen of breath and criminal damage. The pop star who is a member of boy band, Blue, was arrested at 5.30 am on a Friday morning after being pulled over by police in West London for driving his Range Rover in an erratic manner.
When he was taken back to the police station he refused to provide a specimen of breath when requested to do so by the police, this offence carries the same penalty as drink driving. Mr Ryan could have faced greater difficulties as a result of his failure to provide a specimen of breath. Normally in a drink driving case the severity of the sentence is based upon a person’s alcohol reading, however when a defendant has failed to provide a specimen, any punishment is based upon how impaired they were at the time of driving.
Mr Ryan attended Court where he was convicted of failing to provide a specimen of breath and causing criminal damage. The criminal damage charge was brought against the singer after he was locked in his cell and proceeded to urinate and vomit on the floor.
Mr Ryan was later interviewed by the police in relation to his refusal to provide a specimen of breath. He admitted at this time that he had been drinking the night before but stated that he had only had 2 drinks and he had felt ok to drive. He instead blamed his behaviour on mixing alcohol with his anti-depressant medication and stated that his drink may have also been spiked. However when stopped at the roadside the prosecution stated that Mr Ryan was questioned whether he had been drinking and said, ‘yes, a few.’
After hearing mitigation put forward on behalf of Mr Ryan the Judge disqualified him from driving for 2 years and imposed a fine of £3,325, a separate fine of £120 was also imposed for causing criminal damage to his cell. As this was his first offence Mr Ryan was also offered the drink drive rehabilitation course, the effect of this is that should he complete the course, the length of his disqualification will be reduced by 25%.
A statement released by the singer after his conviction read; "Lee respects the court's decision today and takes full responsibility for his actions.
"This has been an important lesson for Lee as he works towards a healthier and happier new chapter in his life."
By Alex Garner, paralegal in the motoring offences team
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