A PORT man who'd been charged with dangerous and drug-driving offences and losing control of a car near a playpark refused to provide specimens of his blood for analysis.

Darren Murphy, 42 — who is now banned from the roads — delayed an assessment of his ability to be behind the wheel by 'electing' to have his blood taken instead of being breathalysed.

But by the time a doctor had been summoned to carry out the procedure, Murphy — a multiple road traffic offender — refused to leave a cell within Greenock police office.

Prosecutors had charged him with driving a Fiat Punto dangerously on the Port's Barr's Brae, losing control of it, causing it to leave the road and travel 50 yards across a grassed area 'in close proximity' to the playpark.

Murphy, of Dougliehill Road, had also been accused of driving the car whilst unfit through drink or drugs.

However, his not guilty pleas to these allegations were accepted following discussions between his lawyer and fiscal depute Joanne Gilmour.

Fiscal depute Ms Gilmour told Greenock Sheriff Court: "At 10.30am on April 27 police attended following a report of a vehicle being off the road.

"The accused was present and confirmed that he had been driving it.

"A computer check showed that he was not the holder of a driving licence and, as such, the vehicle was not insured.

"At Greenock police office he was told that he was required to provide a specimen of his breath, however, he elected to provide a specimen of blood.

"Following the arrival of a doctor the accused refused to leave his cell in order to be examined and to have his blood taken.

"He made no reply when cautioned and charged."

The Telegraph told last year how Murphy caused a three-car collision by carelessly speeding in a car which didn't have a valid MOT certificate and on a residential road.

He was banned for eight months and fined £400 at the time.

Sheriff Daniel Kelly deferred sentence on Murphy for his latest offences until August 14 and disqualified him from driving in the meantime.