"Heated argument" - Hebburn estate agent in Mercedes with 'white powder' on her face is spared driving ban
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South Tyneside magistrates were told a woman took the drug ketamine to help her calm down after an argument with mother.
A South Tyneside estate agent caught with white powder on her face by police after taking a recreational drug in her car has been spared a driving ban.
Eryn Wright, 23, was handed 10 penalty points instead of a possible six-month disqualification by magistrates who heard she no longer uses ketamine.
Wright drove her Mercedes to coastal Marsden Lea car park after a row with her mum and took the hallucinogenic drug to calm down, the South Tyneside court heard.
But police turned up to find Wright, of Sullivan Walk, Hebburn, in her car and with the engine running on the night of Monday, January 5.
They suspected she had taken an illegal drug after spotting the powder and because she appeared confused, prosecutor Jasmine Dodd said.
Ms Dodd added: “The defendant was in her black Mercedes when approached by police officers. She was at the far end of Marsden Lea.
“The vehicle had its engine running. She seemed confused. There was white powder residue around her nose and mouth. She was taken into custody.
“She provided a sample of blood which showed ketamine in her system. The crown places this as high-level culpability.”
Wright, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to a charge of being in charge of a vehicle while above the drug drive limit.
Her reading in blood for ketamine was over 200mcg. The legal limit is 20mcg.
David Smith, defending, said Wright had driven after what he described as “a heated argument” between her and her mother, and she had intended to sleep in her motor.
He conceded she had taken ketamine to calm herself down but had no intention to drive until the next day when the immediate effects of the drug had worn off.
While her claim of that was true, Mr Smith admitted it did not stand up as a defence under legal scrutiny as drugs stay in the system for much longer.
He added: “The engine was running, the heating was on, it was inclement weather.
“I would invite the court to place ten points on her licence. My client would then be on eggshells. She has stopped taking ketamine.”
Wright was also fined £276, with a £110 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.