Drunk care worker carried on driving after damaging a tyre on a pothole in South Tyneside
A drunk nursing home worker who carried on driving after damaging a tyre on a pothole in South Tyneside has been banned from the roads.
Caitlin Anderson, 19, pulled into a service station in a failed bid to blow the tyre up with air – then got back behind the wheel on Sunday, February 8.
But police were tipped off and she was tailed as she motored on Leam Lane, Durham Drive and Leicester Way at Fellgate, Jarrow, a court heard.
Anderson, of Mount Court, Birtley, Gateshead, did so with her hazard lights on and at a low speed, prompting further concerns she was inebriated.
A roadside breath test showed she was over twice the legal alcohol limit, prosecutor Clare Haswell said.
At South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court, Anderson pleaded guilty to a drink drive charge and was banned for 18 months.
Ms Haswell said: “Officers were travelling on Leam Lane when radio information was passed to them about a car of concern.
“The driver had the hazard lights on, and the vehicle was driving slowly and swerving, and it also had a damaged tyre.
“The car pulled over and the defendant was in the driver’s seat and the engine was running.
“She smelled of alcohol and gave a positive roadside breath test and was arrested. She has no previous convictions.”
Anderson gave a reading for alcohol in breath of 72mcg. The legal limit is 35mcg.
Alanna Wesencraft, defending, said: “She was driving this vehicle when she hit a pothole and damaged a tyre.
“She pulled into a garage to try to blow it up. Like most vehicles now, it didn’t have a spare. She then drove and put on her hazards.
“The officer was in an unmarked car which was why she didn’t immediately stop the vehicle.
“She has had to tell her work manager about this, but it won’t impact on her employment.
“She has never appeared before a court and is unlikely to again, I would submit.”
District Judge Zoe Passfield also fined Anderson £400 and ordered her to pay a £160 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.
The judge offered her a place on a ban-reducing drink driver rehabilitation programme.
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