A 50-year-old mother who bragged she was a rally driver before crashing her car at 80mph while under the influence of alcohol and cannabis has been jailed for 14 months. Faye Dawson, from Cheadle, Staffordshire, rolled her Vauxhall Corsa in March 2025, leaving four of five children aged 14 and 15 injured.
Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard that Dawson had been recorded boasting: 'I am a rally car driver and a b***h. If you die I am not responsible. This is what I do every day on a Friday night after a drink. Now I am on alcohol and have had a smoke I am even more dangerous.' The children could be heard shouting 'Slow down, slow down' as she sped through residential areas, failed to slow for roundabouts, and drove on the wrong side of the road.
One victim, who suffered a fractured spine, said: 'I thought I was going to die. I had to have time off school to recover. I feel very anxious in vehicles. I have nightmares and flashbacks.' Another girl stated: 'I felt trapped and terrified. I remember screaming. I genuinely believed I was going to die.'
Dawson admitted dangerous driving. Her barrister, Robert Holt, said she has withdrawn from society due to post-traumatic stress disorder and will never drive again. Judge Richard McConaghy told her: 'Your appalling arrogance caught up with you. It was a miracle that you did not kill somebody.' He added that the offending was so serious only immediate custody was appropriate.
Dawson was also handed a 55-month driving ban and must take an extended retest before driving again.
