Neighbour tried to stop South Shields nurse from drink driving

Kerry Woods, 39, of Usway Close, Hebburn, had already driven off and returned despite being seen to be unsteady on her feet, a court heard.

But when she jumped back into her Toyota Aygo and tried to leave a second time, a neighbour stood in the road to prevent her moving.

He told Woods: “Kerry, I’m not letting you drive away.”

Police arrived and grabbed Woods’ keys from the ignition at 3.30pm on Tuesday, May 19, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court was told.

Prosecutor Grace Taylor said Woods’ lowest breath test reading was 138 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

A district judge has now ordered reports after hearing Woods had voluntarily undergone therapy and wished to keep her driving licence.

Ms Taylor said: “A witness noticed the defendant come out of her garden and get into her car.

“She describes the defendant as being unsteady on her feet.

“The witness says the defendant drove away and returned around 30 minutes later.

“The witness was then in her back garden when she heard another neighbour say, ‘Kerry, I’m not letting you drive away’.

“The neighbour was standing in the road and not letting her drive away.

“The defendant was in the car and was asked to get out. She refused.

“Police arrive and an officer reaches through an open window and takes the keys out of the ignition.

“The defendant got out and was unsteady on her feet and her speech was slurred.

“A roadside breath test was failed by the defendant.”

Geoffrey Forrester, defending, said: “I would ask for an adjournment for reports.

“The defendant has a host of issues. If you can think of every possible issue that can afflict an individual.

“She has paid for her own residential rehabilitation out of the area.”

The case was adjourned and Woods, who pleaded guilty to drink driving, was granted unconditional bail to appear at the same court for sentencing on Thursday, September 24.

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