A mother of two has been disqualified from driving after police discovered she was nearly three times the legal alcohol limit. Jane Copeland, 59, was stopped on November 5, 2024, following reports of erratic driving on the M6.
Court Details and Offence
North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard that Copeland was driving a black Renault Megane when a witness alerted police to a vehicle drifting between lanes without indicating. Officers found her outside Screwfix on Shackleton Way in Stafford and administered a roadside breath test, which showed 95 microgrammes of alcohol per 100ml of breath – nearly three times the legal limit of 35 microgrammes.
Prosecutor Lucy Allen told the court: "In this matter, the defendant was seen driving her black Renault Megane while over the prescribed limit of alcohol. An individual contacted the police after seeing a car driving erratically on the M6. The defendant had been drifting between lanes without indicating."
Personal Circumstances
Copeland, of Frank Soo Street, Stoke, admitted to driving while exceeding the legal alcohol threshold. Speaking on her own behalf, she revealed she was struggling with severe personal issues. She told the court: "I'm being seen by a doctor next month because they think I have PTSD. I was drinking heavily at the time. I had just found out my partner of 15 years had been looking at child pornography. The police found category A, B and C images on his computer. He has been sentenced now."
Health Consequences and Sentencing
Copeland added: "I have stopped drinking. I went to hospital in May and they told me that I would die if I didn't stop. I had a pulmonary embolism. I'm really sorry about this. I'm just glad that I didn't hurt anyone."
The court imposed a 36-month driving ban, an 18-month community order requiring 20 rehabilitation days, and a 12-month mental health treatment programme. Copeland was also ordered to pay £222 in costs.
