A DISQUALIFIED driver suspected of getting behind the wheel whilst under the influence has been jailed for failing to provide a specimen of breath to test.

At Glasgow Sheriff Court, Alexander Holub admitted driving along the city's Skene Road on September 3 this year while banned and without insurance.

The 29-year-old, who was suspected of driving under the influence, also pleaded guilty to failing to cooperate with a preliminary breath test. He also failed to provide another two specimens of breath for analysis at Cathcart Police Station to ascertain his ability to drive.

The fiscal depute told the court that police witnesses initially spotted the accused driving at around 11pm on that Sunday evening.

Holub's vehicle was pulled over and he was identified as being disqualified. When he was placed under arrest, officers could smell alcohol. However, the accused failed to give a specimen on site and twice later at the station without a reasonable excuse.

In defence, it was explained that the arresting officer was known to Holub. The accused claimed that he was thrown to the ground by the officer and suffered a nasty bump on the head, which was later seen and confirmed by his lawyer.

Holub, of Glasgow's Paisley Road West, refused to provide breath specimens in response to what he deemed "aggressive police conduct".

His lawyer admitted: "He's not a stupid man, he's realistic to the outcome of the case."

The accused, whose wife was pregnant with their third child at the time, is currently employed as a cleaner, but having been remanded since the incident his family has struggled without him.

The defence agent also claimed that the Home Office has made the decision to deport Holub, a Slovakian. However, the ministerial department seem to have the wrong information on file and are looking to deport the accused to Poland. Holub has already instructed immigration solicitors to make an appeal.

Sheriff Frances McCartney sentenced Holub to 168 days in prison, backdated to September 4, for driving while disqualified. In addition, his licence was endorsed and he was further banned for another 28 months.

For driving without insurance and failing to provide the initial breath specimen, the accused was admonished but disqualified for 16 months.

For failing to provide two specimens of breath at the police station, he was sentenced to 72 days in prison to run concurrently with the 168 days.