A retired taxi driver who now volunteers to drive people to hospital has been banned from the road for refusing to provide a breath specimen.

Denis Borley, of Spendells Close, Walton-on-the-Naze, was believed to have been drink-driving when officers saw him in Northgate Street, Ipswich.

The 66-year-old pleaded guilty when he appeared before South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court to failing to give a breath specimen on April 2.

Prosecutor Wayne Ablett said police where in the one-way street when they saw Borley’s vehicle approaching from the opposite direction.

When stopped Borley, who had also been a bus driver before working as a taxi driver for 20 years, said he had consumed about four pints.

The court was told a roadside breath test showed he had 70 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35mcgs.

However, when he got to Martlesham police investigation centre he refused to co-operate with the official breath test on an intoximeter.

Nicola Pope, representing Borley, said: “He just can’t give you an explanation as to what happened at that police station.

“It appears he did try to provide a specimen. The police report says he didn’t take the procedure seriously.”

Ms Pope said Borley believed the police officer involved was trying to ‘wind him up’.

She added: “He’s replied and obviously made the situation so much worse.”

The officer claimed Borley was aggressive and abusive, and the court was told Borley said they were winding each other up.

Ms Pope said Borley retired in 2014 and now helps people by volunteering to drive them to hospital appointments.

He had been visiting his sister in Stowmarket on the day of the offence and believed he had been ok to drive.

Borley was disqualified from driving for 14 months and fined £200.

In addition he must pay £85 costs and £20 to the victims’ fund.