Steve Boxall has been banned from speedway for two years after refusing to take a drugs and alcohol test.

The Kent Kings rider was chosen at random before Kings' Knockout Cup match against Plymouth at Central Park on Monday, August 6 but walked away from the testing area and left the circuit.

His refusal to co-operate has seen him hit with a two-year ban by the Speedway Control Bureau.

Boxall, from Canterbury, was just a week into his second spell with Kent, replacing injured captain Luke Bowen.

But the 31-year-old's career, which began at Rye House in 2002, lies in tatters.

Kent co-promoter Len Silver said: "We are extremely disappointed with the actions of our No.1 rider Steve Boxall in refusing to take a random drugs and alcohol test, subsequently resulting in a two-year ban.

"It is hugely regrettable that he chose for reasons not explained to refuse to take the test last Monday.

"We of course fully support the SCB in its efforts in random testing to maximise the safety of riders and public and indeed to keep integrity within our sport.

"We wish Steve well in his future life."

Boxall is the first rider to refuse a sample since new testing regulations were brought in at the start of last season.

The Speedway Control Bureau moved quickly to ban him.

They said in a statement: "An emergency court hearing took place on Tuesday 7th August, with three members of the Speedway Control Bureau and the SCB co-ordinator in attendance, where it was confirmed that Mr Boxall’s speedway licence will be suspended for a period of two years, for the failure of taking an alcohol and drugs test.
"The Speedway Control Bureau would like to confirm that these tests will continue and warn any riders or officials the penalties of either refusing or failing the test."

Boxall won two league titles at Rye House and is a two-time Riders' Champion in speedway's third tier.

He'd spent the past two years with Plymouth Devils before Silver brought him back to Central Park following Bowen's knee injury.

He was a member of the original Kings line-up in 2013, also captaining the side.