A MAN given an alcohol tag by a court said he couldn't have the device fitted because it would interfere with an internal defibrillator.

David Hodgson, 34, had been given a 120-day alcohol monitoring requirement after he admitted failing to provide a specimen for analysis in Workington on May 19.

He was brought back before Workington Magistrates’ Court on Monday and admitted failing to comply with the requirements of a community order by failing to comply with the alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement.

A probation officer told the court that the alcohol monitoring service had attended Hodgson’s address to fit the equipment on June 19.

On arrival, Hodgson informed staff that he had a defibrillator fitted internally and asked them not to use magnets near him.

Staff were advised not to fit the equipment to allow Hodgson to get advice from doctors on whether he could have the device fitted.

He was urged to provide evidence for this but had failed to do so, the court heard.

Hodgson had provided evidence of a recent heart attack and hospital admission but there was no evidence of advice for having the defibrillator fitted.

The defendant, who was not legally represented, lifted his top down to show magistrates where the defibrillator had been fitted.

Magistrates revoked the community order and imposed a financial penalty of £200 instead.

Hodgson, of Wordsworth Close, Egremont, must also pay £60 costs to the probation service.