WHEN a driver was asked by police if there was any reason why he was refusing to take a breath test, he replied: "Because I'm p****d".

Andrew Frank Everett, aged 43, of Grenville Gardens, Troon, crashed his Peugeot 206 in the early hours of May 19 in Stray Park Road, Camborne, Truro magistrates heard on Monday.

Prosecuting, Alison May said members of public had reported the crash and when police officers arrived, Everett, who was slumped on the roadside eight feet from the car, said: "I've f****d £1,000 of vehicle. I've been a d**k."

Having conducted a breath test at the road side, he later refused at the station and when asked why, he delivered his frank response.

Charles Hulley, defending, said that Everett, a scaffolder for the last three years with a 17 year-old son, would be able to carry out unpaid work as part of a community order because his "weekends are spare".

He said that having taken a roadside breath test, the defendant felt that "once was enough".

Mr Hulley added that he had had a drink at a friend's house and made a stupid decision to drive home.

Everett pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen of breath without reasonable excuse and driving otherwise in accordance with a licence.

He had three previous driving offences from 2008 and 2009.

Magistrates imposed a community order requiring him to do 120 hours of unpaid work and comply with a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement.

Everett was banned from driving for 18 months and ordered to pay £85 costs and 85 victim surcharge.