Fylde coast actor refused to take a breath test

Armstrong, 34, of Central Beach, Lytham, who has co-starred in films including Edge of Tomorrow with Hollywood star Tom Cruise, as well as featuring on TV as Robin Hood, denied failing to provide a breath specimen for alcohol testing but was found guilty of the offence after a trial.

He had a previous conviction from 2012 for being drunk in charge of a car.

He was sentenced to do 180 hours unpaid work for the community,banned from driving for 16 months and fined £1,500 with £620 costs plus £60 victims surcharge by District Judge Jeff Brailsford sitting at Blackpool Magistrates Court.

The judge said: “I have no doubt whatsoever this was a deliberate refusal to take a breath test.”

Rachel Parker, prosecuting, said police saw a black Audi S5 Coupe with its engine running on the forecourt of the Esso garage, Preston New Road, Blackpool, on January 7 about 5am.

PC Sean Erett told the judge the actor said he had gone to buy cigarettes. The officer said Armstrong smelled of alcohol, was slurring his words and slightly unsteady. He asked Armstrong to take a breath test and he flatly refused to.

In CCTV footage shown to the court, Armstrong said: “I have a very bad cold. I have not been drinking. It’s perhaps the cough syrup.”

Asked twice in the footage if he would provide a breath specimen he replied no each time. When asked by PC Erett if there was any medical reasons why he could not provide one he again said no.

Armstrong, born in Dublin and educated at Arnold School, Blackpool, told the judge he had drunk no alcohol and been ill with flu for several days.

The actor said in court: “When he asked me to provide a breath specimen I said I would not be able to do it because of my chest infection.”