A HAMPSHIRE man has been jailed for failing to give police a specimen of his breath.

Magistrates told Neil Pickup, 44, the offence was so serious and his deliberate refusal was aggravated by previous convictions and a breach of a suspended sentence.

Pickup, of Boyneswood Close, Medstead, near Alresford, pleaded guilty to the offence which happened on December 16.

He was stopped in Orchard Lane, Alton, while driving a Y-reg BMW, the court heard.

Magistrates imposed an eightweek sentence for the refusal to give breath and two weeks for failing to attend court on January 3.

The original offence covered by the suspended sentence related to criminal damage at the Anchor pub in Ropley in 2010, threatening behaviour and assaulting a woman.