Charlotte North, 34, was arrested for drink-driving after police spotted her Audi Q2 being driven erratically in Ellesmere Port. Tests showed she was almost four times the legal alcohol limit.
Incident Details
The incident occurred at 11.40pm on July 2, when North was driving on Rossmore Road East. Police saw the vehicle drifting from side to side at a slow and inconsistent speed. She clipped and mounted the kerb before officers stopped her.
Prosecutor Niamh Jones said: “Officers in a marked police vehicle sighted the defendant’s vehicle which appeared to be drifting from side to side.” On speaking to North, there was a strong smell of alcohol, and she admitted to drinking. A roadside breath sample was positive.
Court Outcome
At Chester Magistrates' Court, North, from High Pond Lane, Ellesmere Port, pleaded guilty to drink driving. She was sentenced to 12 weeks in jail, suspended for 12 months, and banned from driving for 32 months. She was also ordered to pay £239 in costs and surcharge.
Tests showed North had 126 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, the legal limit being 35 micrograms.
Defense Statement
Her barrister, Simon Collingham, said North had been staying at a hotel when she received a call from her then partner, leading to a heated exchange. She drove "in the heat of the moment" fearing her relationship needed saving. She has since split from her partner.
North, a sales executive for a motor dealership, was offered a place on a drink drive awareness course, which if completed will reduce the ban by a quarter. JP Fiona Crane said: “This was a very high reading of alcohol. It could have been much, much worse than just being stopped.”
