A MAN who was found in a crashed van has been convicted of refusing to allow himself to be breathalysed.

A police patrol was flagged down by a member of the public who said a white Ford Transit had crashed into a bin in Thompson Road in the city.

Officers found Paul Hardy sitting behind the wheel of the van in Peace Close but he refused to blow into the breathalyser and was arrested shortly before 10pm on June 11 last year.

Hardy, 47, of Windlesham Road, Brighton, pleaded guilty to failing to co-operate with a preliminary drink-driving test when he appeared at Worthing Magistrates' Court on July 10 this year.

He was given four points on his licence and ordered to pay a £235 fine, £85 costs and a £23 victim surcharge.

Of the 120 people to have been charged as part of Sussex Police's Operation Dragonfly June 2014 drink- and drug-driving campaign, 117 have been convicted of offences so far.

The remaining three are still being dealt with by the courts.

People in Sussex can text officers on 65999 with the details of people they suspect of drink or drug driving or visit www.operationcrackdown.co.uk.

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

To keep up to date with officers looking for drink or drug drivers, follow #opdragonfly on Twitter.

If you know someone is driving while over the limit or after taking drugs call 999.