A shocking case of parental irresponsibility has unfolded in UK courts as a mother-of-three received a prison sentence for driving her children to school while nearly four times over the legal alcohol limit.
Kelly McDonough, 38, was stopped by police during the morning school run with her young children in the vehicle. Breathalyser tests revealed an astonishing reading of 137 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit in England and Wales being just 35 micrograms.
Dangerous Morning Decision
The court heard how McDonough made the reckless decision to drive her children to their educational institution despite having consumed significant amounts of alcohol. This dangerous choice put not only her own children at risk but every other road user and pedestrian she encountered during that fateful journey.
Prosecutor Shelley Laughton told Manchester Magistrates' Court: "Police were alerted to a possibly intoxicated driver and located the vehicle. Officers could smell alcohol and her eyes were glazed."
Devastating Consequences
The consequences of McDonough's actions have been severe and far-reaching:
- A 12-week immediate prison sentence
- Three-year driving disqualification
- Substantial court costs and fees
- Potential impact on child custody arrangements
- Lasting criminal record
Defence lawyer Matthew Wallace attempted to mitigate, stating his client had been "drinking the night before and genuinely didn't believe she was still over the limit." However, District Judge Mark Hadfield dismissed this explanation as entirely inadequate given the extreme reading.
Judgment and Warning
In delivering the sentence, Judge Hadfield emphasised the gravity of the offence: "This is an extremely high reading and it's aggravated because you had children in the car. It was the school run, there would have been many other children about."
The case serves as a stark reminder to all drivers about the dangers of drink-driving, particularly the misconception that overnight drinking renders one safe to drive the following morning. Police forces across the UK repeatedly warn that alcohol can remain in the system far longer than many drivers realise.
This sentencing comes during increased police focus on drink-driving offences, with authorities determined to remove dangerous drivers from UK roads before tragedies occur.
