A drink-driving mother crashed her Mercedes into a farmer’s field with her three-year-old daughter in the passenger seat, while searching for her missing father, a court has heard.
Samantha Parry, 27, lost control of her vehicle at around 1am as she scoured the area for her dad. The incident, which took place in the village of Farndon near Chester, caused her Mercedes A-Class to veer through a hedge and into a field.
The car’s black box system automatically triggered a report to police, revealing the crash location. Officers who responded to the scene, located off the A534, discovered Parry was more than twice the legal alcohol limit. Fortunately, no one was injured in the crash.
At Chester Magistrates’ Court, Parry, of Raven Close, Farndon, pleaded guilty to drink-driving. She was fined £120, ordered to pay £133 in costs and a surcharge, and received a 22-month driving ban.
Scott Woodward, prosecuting, told the court:
“At 12.50am on April 23, there was a report of a single vehicle road traffic collision. That was reported by the car accident detection system which reported the incident.
Upon police arrival the defendant was at the scene with her three-year-old child. She stated to officers that she had lost control in the wet conditions and it was apparent that she had driven through a hedge row and was parked in the field.
There was a smell of alcohol so officers conducted a roadside breath test. Failing that she was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving.”
Tests revealed Parry had 89 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit being 35 micrograms. She had no previous convictions and is currently in receipt of Universal Credit.
Selina Woodward, defending, offered an explanation for Parry’s actions:
“She tells me that during the day she had been to a funeral with her dad. He was supposed to be staying at her address.
However, she could not find him and went home. She then began to worry when her dad did not return.
Her dad has mental health issues and in the past when he has had a drink he has become suicidal. She became frightened that something had happened to him and made the decision to get in the car to look for him.
She did have her daughter with her because she panicked and just did not think. She does not remember much about the collision. It all happened very fast and the whole situation was completely horrendous.
She today expressed her remorse to me and is disappointed in herself for putting her child in danger. She has apologised to the farmer who owned the fence. He is going to send her a bill.”
About Carl Millar
Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.
Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.
With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.
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