A DRIVER was banned for three years after twice refusing to provide a drug test and driving without insurance.

Denise Lynch, was stopped by police officers near the Texaco garage in Wells Road, Malvern on February 23 because they believed the Audi A4 she was driving was being used for drug dealing.

Lynch refused to provide a roadside drug swipe test and after officers explained to her that it was an offence to not provide a sample, still refused and was then arrested.

Officers found a drugs pipe in the side of the door on the driver’s side and a cannabis grinder was also found in the car.

Lynch then refused to provide a second sample at Worcester police station and during interview replied ‘no comment’ to most of the officers questions and refused to answer who owned the car and for how long they had owned it.

Lynch was also questioned about whether the car was insured and replied no comment and then asked about drug use and told officers that it was none of their business.

Lynch said she took the attitude she did with police because was she upset with the officers for stopping her and did not see any reason for why she had been stopped.

Defending, Gerry Vahey said Lynch had purchased insurance but misunderstood its start date and drove the car a day before it began.

Lynch told officers she was driving in the area because her father would regularly take her to Malvern.

District Judge French said: “We will never know if you were affected by drugs because you refused to give a sample.

“I have got no discretion but to ban you.”

Lynch, of Kings Road, Birmingham, admitted using a motor vehicle on the road without party insurance, failing to cooperate with a preliminary test and refusing to provide a sample for a Class A drug test.

Lynch was ordered to pay £180 fine, £30 victim surcharge and £135 costs.