A drug driver who failed to provide police with a blood sample after crashing near Sunbury has been banned from driving and handed a suspended jail sentence.

Surrey Police said that 24-year-old Cameron Robinson "was driving his BMW round the Sunbury Cross roundabout when he lost control of his car and collided with railings" on New Year's Even last year (December 31).

"Officers who had been sat at traffic lights witnessed the collision and after checking on Robinson, they carried out a routine drugs test which showed that he was positive for cannabis," a spokesperson described.

"He was arrested and taken to hospital as he had been involved in a collision.

"On arrival at St Peter’s Hospital in Chertsey, officers began drug driving procedures.

"However, on being required to provide a specimen of blood for analysis Robinson refused to do so, claiming it was against his religion," they added.

At court last Tuesday (March 3), Robinson pleaded guilty to failing to provide.

He was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison (suspended for 12 months), disqualified from driving for 29 months and ordered to pay £120 victim surcharge and £85 in costs.

"Refusing to provide a blood sample on religious grounds is not a lawful excuse," Surrey Police pointed out.