A MOTORIST who refused to provide a sample to police after a crash has been handed a suspended prison sentence.

Richard Lawton, from Orford, was involved in a collision which saw a casualty injured in St Helens in August last year.

But the 36-year-old failed give a sample to officers, preventing them from analysing whether he was under the influence of drink or drugs.

He admitted failing to provide a specimen and was handed a 12-week imprisonment suspended for a year at Warrington Magistrates Court on Thursday, May 13.

Magistrates also told him to serve a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 20 days and ordered the payment of a £128 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

Lawton, of Crowe Avenue, was banned from driving for 30 months.