flukey365
Member
Hi there, I have today received a charge for failing to provide a specimen of blood for a lab test.
I will try to be brief, I had a RTA on 29 September. No other vehicle involved and no damage to property. I was injured but I was able to walk, aided by the Police. The Police breathalysed me at the scene but I was unable to blow hard enough into it due to stated medical, documented on my medical records, reasons. This included a serious Heart Condition. I was then arrested. The Police escorted me to an Ambulance, and accompanied me. I was rushed to a Hospital. It was treated as an emergency admission and I was immediately placed on a heart monitor, I was given urgent medication, Digoxin, via a canula that the hospital staff had placed into my arm, I was given two scans and two ECGs. I was further sedated with Librium. My heart rate peaked at 135 ( the monitor was flashing red and was sounding an audible alarm) I genuinely thought that I might die! I was in and out of consciousness and I suffered horrible hallucinations and desperate anxiety. I most certainly was not of Sound Mind. I was also, most certainly, not in a fit state to either consent or refuse a blood sample. A Nurse told me later "We were worried about you earlier, your heart was racing and you did not even know your DOB; It is good to see you well".
I have a faint recollection of refusing blood to be taken because of the large amount of vital, emergency medication in my bloodstream. I was fearful of upsetting the balance, in fact I was terrified I am also on blood thinning medication. I carry a card stating as such in my wallet, the Police, incidentally, had confiscated my wallet and had full access to this card! Taking unnecessary invasive blood samples was obviously a risk. I repeat, I had freely offered to supply a urine sample! I have patchy recollections of one of the PCs saying that "You will do as I say, I want a Blood Sample.
The twist to the tail on this story is that, when I was actually discharged from the Hospital, two days later, the hospital records state that my blood, taken upon admission was normal, I had not been drinking any alcohol whatsoever. I had not been drinking and driving! I was fully aware of this therefore I had nothing to gain by refusing to give blood other than a genuine fear of my well-being in danger.
Now eight weeks later and, out of the blue the police have issued a charge of refusing a sample. I am completely shattered.
Any advice/ suggestions would be gratefully received
I will try to be brief, I had a RTA on 29 September. No other vehicle involved and no damage to property. I was injured but I was able to walk, aided by the Police. The Police breathalysed me at the scene but I was unable to blow hard enough into it due to stated medical, documented on my medical records, reasons. This included a serious Heart Condition. I was then arrested. The Police escorted me to an Ambulance, and accompanied me. I was rushed to a Hospital. It was treated as an emergency admission and I was immediately placed on a heart monitor, I was given urgent medication, Digoxin, via a canula that the hospital staff had placed into my arm, I was given two scans and two ECGs. I was further sedated with Librium. My heart rate peaked at 135 ( the monitor was flashing red and was sounding an audible alarm) I genuinely thought that I might die! I was in and out of consciousness and I suffered horrible hallucinations and desperate anxiety. I most certainly was not of Sound Mind. I was also, most certainly, not in a fit state to either consent or refuse a blood sample. A Nurse told me later "We were worried about you earlier, your heart was racing and you did not even know your DOB; It is good to see you well".
I have a faint recollection of refusing blood to be taken because of the large amount of vital, emergency medication in my bloodstream. I was fearful of upsetting the balance, in fact I was terrified I am also on blood thinning medication. I carry a card stating as such in my wallet, the Police, incidentally, had confiscated my wallet and had full access to this card! Taking unnecessary invasive blood samples was obviously a risk. I repeat, I had freely offered to supply a urine sample! I have patchy recollections of one of the PCs saying that "You will do as I say, I want a Blood Sample.
The twist to the tail on this story is that, when I was actually discharged from the Hospital, two days later, the hospital records state that my blood, taken upon admission was normal, I had not been drinking any alcohol whatsoever. I had not been drinking and driving! I was fully aware of this therefore I had nothing to gain by refusing to give blood other than a genuine fear of my well-being in danger.
Now eight weeks later and, out of the blue the police have issued a charge of refusing a sample. I am completely shattered.
Any advice/ suggestions would be gratefully received