Police were forced to ram the front door of a university lab technician's home after she drove drunk and then refused to let officers inside. Samantha Bowerbank, 41, had been drinking all afternoon before getting behind the wheel to travel to a supermarket to buy more alcohol.
Arrest and Breath Test
A concerned member of the public phoned police after spotting Bowerbank getting back into her vehicle outside Sainsbury's on Chillingham Road in Heaton. Officers carried out a registered keeper check and attended her address, but she refused to let them in.
James Rickerby, prosecuting at Newcastle Magistrates' Court, said: "The officers had to drill the front door lock and force the door in order to gain entrance. As soon as they did, the defendant slammed the door shut and held it closed. When the officers did gain access, they saw open cans of alcohol in the property."
Bowerbank was arrested and later gave a reading of 93mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, against the legal limit of 35mcg.
Court Appearance and Sentence
Bowerbank, of Lawson Close in Byker, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol, an offence that took place on September 20. Jack Lovell, defending, said Bowerbank had no previous convictions, worked full-time as a lab technician at Northumbria University, and was remorseful.
Mr Lovell added: "She rarely uses her vehicle. She had got the bus into town to do some shopping. She went to the pub to have a couple of drinks and got the bus home. Once at home, she decided to get more alcohol and made the foolish decision to go in the car."
District Judge Paul Currer fined Bowerbank £750, with £85 costs and a £300 victim surcharge, and banned her from driving for 24 months. He said: "This is a serious offence. You might think in the light of day that it was a ridiculous decision to drive to Sainsbury's when you live quite close but, for reasons best known to yourself, you chose to drive. You were really not in full control of your vehicle and you presented a danger to yourself and other road users. When the police came to your address, you behaved in a way, which was completely out of character. It's clear you were drunk."
