Jarrow care worker given road ban for driving almost three times over the alcohol limit
A Jarrow woman has received a driving ban after she was caught behind the wheel while over the alcohol limit.
A South Tyneside care worker has been banned from the roads for two years after being caught driving while almost three times the alcohol limit.
Tracy Smith’s solicitor said she was so “desperately upset” by past life events she could not make it home without stopping for a drink on Saturday, September 12.
David Forrester told borough magistrates Smith, 52, of Glenside, Hedworth, Jarrow, had suffered a “tragic, absolutely brutal set of circumstances” over several years.
Failed a roadside breath test
She was breathalysed after a minor road traffic accident while driving her Nissan Juke in Fellgate Avenue, also Hedworth, at around 10.20pm.
It revealed 102mcg of alcohol, against a legal limit of 35mcg, leading to her second drink drive conviction.
Prosecutor Leah Plews said: “Officers were on duty when they had cause to attend Fellgate Avenue, due to a report of an intoxicated driver.
“When they attended there was also a minor road traffic collision, with no damage. They spoke to the female in the driver’s seat of one vehicle.
“There was a strong smell of intoxicating liquor, and she failed a roadside breath test. She was taken into custody, where the drink driver procedure was undertaken.
“She has two previous convictions from four offences. There was excess alcohol and no insurance in 2007 and driving while disqualified in 2008.
“The latest offence is a disqualification of between 23 and 28 months. The crown says it is aggravated by her previous record.”
Admitting to drink driving
Mr Forrester said it was a “tragic, absolutely brutal set of circumstances” that had brought Smith to court but did not elaborate.
He added: “I don’t want to go over things. She does have a previous conviction. I think, technically, it’s spent.
“She is a relatively lowly paid care worker, dealing with all that has befallen her in the past five to 10 years.
“She finished her shift at work but instead of driving home, she felt so desperately upset that she has gone to a shop and then to drink alcohol just to get her home.”
Smith, who pleaded guilty to drink driving, was also made subject to a 12-month community order and must pay a £114 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.