A UK settled lawyer caught the media attention by her action of refusing a roadside breathalyzer test, citing her recent lip cosmetic surgery. The woman lawyer was pulled over by the cops with the suspicion of alcohol consumption when she was found travelling at a speed of 20 mph in a 60 mph zone.

Barrister Rachel Tansey, a lawyer from UK was later found guilty of not supplying samples for testing as she refused to take a blood test.

The woman made an excuse that she had recently undergone a lip surgery and hence, can not blow into the instrument properly. By making the excuse up, she only placed her lips partially on the tube. Furthermore, she argued with the police officers saying that she was doing her best and asking them not to tell her what to do.

Once she refused to do breathalyzer test, she was further instructed to provide her blood sample for the purpose of medical test. However, she did not comply with the officers saying, “Good luck trying to get blood from me. Let’s roll the dice. I will not consent to blood."  She claimed to have a "needle phobia," which officers suspected as an to avoid blood testing.

Barrister Rachel Tansey was later brought into Sefton Magistrates’ Court, where she denied any wrongdoing and explained her side of the argument. She presented the excuse that she had dropped a chicken wrap and had been rinsing her mouth with mouthwash, due to which, she was driving at a slow speed of 20mph. However, District Judge James Hatton dismissed her claims and convicted her for offenses of not providing blood and breath samples. The Court also pointed out how the accused tried to delay and avoid the officers in an attempt to manipulate the situation.

"You refused as soon as you were aware of the roadside test, and you made no proper attempt to blow. You say you had your lips done." said District Judge James Hatton.

While sentencing has yet to be decided, the judge indicated that the accused might receive a community order but warned that all options, including a custodial sentence, remained open.

Reference:

1. Daily Mail. 2025. “Drink-Drive Lawyer Refused Roadside Breath Test after Being Pulled Over in Silver Range Rover—Had Just Undergone Cosmetic Surgery on Lips.” Daily Mail, February 12, 2025. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14376247/Drink-drive-lawyer-refused-roadside-breath-test-pulled-silver-Range-Rover-shed-cosmetic-surgery-lips.html.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Jithin Paul/MSM)