Breckon v DPP

Breckon v DPP

The breathalyser machine used was an approved device as it met the description in the Approval Schedule, and the prosecution was not required to adduce the roadside breath test figures as section 15(2) of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 does not apply to preliminary breath tests.

Parties
Claimant: Clive Martin Breckon; Defendant: DPP
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
22 August 2007
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal (case Stated) / High Court Appeal From Magistrates’ Court Conviction
Outcome
Appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Type Approval of Breathalyser Devices, Admissibility of Roadside Breath Test Results, Disclosure Obligations in Criminal Proceedings
Criminal Law Road Traffic Law Type Approval of Breathalyser Devices Admissibility of Roadside Breath Test Results Disclosure Obligations in Criminal Proceedings

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Parties

Clive Martin Breckon

Claimant

DPP

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal (case Stated) / High Court Appeal From Magistrates’ Court Conviction

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the breathalyser machine used was an approved device under the relevant statutory scheme
  2. 2 Whether the prosecution was required to adduce the actual roadside breath test figures in evidence

Ratio Decidendi

The breathalyser machine used was an approved device as it met the description in the Approval Schedule, and the prosecution was not required to adduce the roadside breath test figures as section 15(2) of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 does not apply to preliminary breath tests.

Court Disposition

Appeal dismissed

Orders

  • Both questions posed by the District Judge answered in the negative
  • Conviction and sentence upheld