Second trial involving Bath woman collapses with no CPS evidence

The second trial at Bath Magistrates’ Court this year involving the same defendant has collapsed, with the Crown Prosecution Service again offering no evidence.

Bath Magistrates’ Court

On Monday 2nd February, 38-year-old Pagan Taylor went on trial accused of failing to provide a specimen of breath for analysis without reasonable excuse when suspected of having driven.

The alleged offence took place on 23rd August last year at Keynsham Custody Centre. Taylor, of Ridge Green Close at Odd Down, had denied the charge.

During the trial last Monday, the court heard that an informant had called 999 to express concern about the way a Peugeot car was being driven in Bath in the early hours.

It had allegedly been weaving across the road, stopping at green lights and braking heavily.

The informant, who was asked by the call handler to follow the vehicle until the police arrived, reported that a passenger had been seen getting out of the car at a garage with an empty bottle of vodka.

The car was parked near the ambulance station when the police turned up, and Taylor was asked to provide a roadside sample of breath.

She refused, denying she had drunk anything. On police body cam played to the court, she referred to the police having it in for her and that she had been set up previously.

She made a reference to Scotland Yard investigating a police officer growing weed at her house, and accused the police of victimisation and harassment.

Taylor was arrested and taken to the custody centre, where she refused to give a sample of breath, saying the police had not done it properly last time.

The police officer interviewing her noted she had dilated pupils. But on the form, he did not write any other reasons to suspect she was intoxicated.

The trial was halted while the transcript of the call to 999 was examined by the prosecutor and defence solicitor, and it emerged that nowhere did the informant mention that he suspected the driver of being intoxicated.

The prosecutor told the magistrates that any reference to the suspicion of intoxication had been a “miscommunication” by the operator.

As information passed onto officers “did not exist in reality” the prosecutor said she could not take the case any further.

It was dismissed, with no evidence offered.

Last month, we reported that a case of drug-driving against Taylor had collapsed after the Crown Prosecution Service offered no evidence on the day of the trial.

She had denied driving on Sulis Manor Road on 20th January 2025 with cannabis and cocaine in her system exceeding the specified limits. Her defence was concern about the line of continuity of the blood sample she had given.

However, Taylor did admit a separate offence of being in possession of 0.8 grams of cannabis and was fined £100 with costs.