A former headteacher from Telford who started drinking heavily during lockdown has received a suspended sentence after police caught her drink driving.
Prosecuting at North Staffordshire Justice Centre, Emma Thompson told the court: “At about 1.45pm in Longton Road, a witness returning from work was following the defendant and watched her swerving all over the road. At one point she mis-negotiated a bend. He was so concerned about her driving that he called the police.
“Police arrived and pulled her over. Her speech was laboured and she was unsteady on her feet. She failed to provide a specimen of breath at the roadside but at the police station she did provide one. The reading was 139 micrograms in 100 millilitres of breath, which is four times the limit of 35.”
The court heard that the 42-year-old woman had previously been a headteacher at a local academy when it first opened but was now looking for a new job.
Mitigating for the defendant, Gwyn Lewis said that the woman had several personal problems that had led to her increased alcohol consumption.
“She is educated and has had quite a glittering career as a teacher and headteacher at a number of different institutions.
“In this past year she has had a lot of pressure put upon her. Her mother and step-father have both had serious health problems. Her landlord terminated the agreement regarding her accommodation with short notice meaning she and her partner had to move from four-bed to a one-bed property – in an annexe at a farm – and she also has a number of animals to look after.
“She had decided she was going to take a break from work, then on top of that came lockdown. During lockdown she started to drink more. She had never seen drink as a problem before – it’s only when this incident happened it has brought it into focus. It has been a watershed moment and has led to a complete change in her thought processes with regard to alcohol. She has sought help.”
The woman admitted had “a fair bit to drink” on the night before the drink driving incident, said Mr Lewis. She received a call in the early hours saying that her partner’s daughter had gone into labour. Her partner left, and the defendant had another drink.
Mr Lewis continued: “In the morning she got up, did her normal routine walking the dogs and looking after the animals. Then she set out on the journey. She had driven a number of miles before she encountered this individual. She had gone over to the other side of the road to avoid a puddle.”
He asked that magistrates consider an alternative to a custodial sentence, as that would harm the defendant’s ability to work in education. The bench said, however, that the offence was so serious that only a custodial sentence, albeit suspended, would be appropriate.
Magistrates sentenced the woman to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, and banned her from driving for 32 months. The ban may be reduced if she completes the drink driving rehabilitation course. She must also pay £135 court costs and a £128 victim surcharge.
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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