Wine-drinking driver caught after three-car crash at the Nook in South Shields

Laura Jagota, 26, gave a positive breath test at the scene of the crash at a roundabout at the Nook shopping area in South Shields.

Jagota, of Lynwood Way, South Shields, also gave two over-the-limit readings at a police station after her arrest on Saturday, December 5.

But she failed to attend South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court for her hearing – and was disqualified from driving for 16 months in her absence.

Prosecutor Leanne Duffy said Pc Richard Elliott was the first on the scene of the collision.

In a statement read to the court by Ms Duffy, the officer, said: “I was on duty in a marked police car.

“When almost at Prince Edward Road, approaching the roundabout with Sunderland Road, my attention was drawn to a road traffic collision.

“Three vehicles were stationary as they were heading in the direction of the John Reid Road.

“Three people were speaking and were exchanging details, one was Laura Jagota.

“She identified herself as the driver of a Vauxhall Astra, and the others identified the vehicles they were driving.

“I asked if any of them had been drinking alcohol. Laura Jagota replied that she had had two glasses of wine. She provided a positive roadside breath test.”

Ms Duffy said Jagota was arrested and taken to Sunderland’s Southwick police station, where she gave two samples of breath on an evidential CAMIC device.

The first reading showed 45mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath, and the second 42mcgs. The legal limit is 35mcgs.

Magistrates were told their sentencing guidelines were to impose a driving ban of between 12 and 16 months.

Jagota, who is of previous good character, faced charges of drink-driving and driving without insurance.

Magistrates found the case proven in her absence and banned her for the drink-drive offence.

They said her crime was aggravated by not having insurance and being involved in an accident.

There was no separate penalty for having no insurance, but Jagota was fined £300, with £85 court costs and a £34 victim surcharge.

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