A Chippenham woman collided with three cars after attempting to drive home from the pub where she had been celebrating her mother’s 50th birthday.
Laura Ward, 26, then fled the scene of the crime after local residents who came out to help began to suspect she was driving under the influence of alcohol.
Appearing before Swindon Magistrates’ Court this afternoon (25 August), the defendant, of Windlass Way, pleaded guilty to drink driving and failing to stop after a road traffic collision.
Pauline Lambert, prosecuting, said Ward was driving her Mini when she collided with several vehicles in London Road on 7 August this year whilst attempting to pass a stationary car.
Local residents ran out of their houses to provide assistance to those involved. They involved both the defendant and a woman who was in the stationary car were invited into one of the properties following the incident.
Witnesses began to notice the smell of alcohol on Ward’s breath and the police were called. A short time later, a relative arrived at the address and shepherded her away despite the victim’s demands that she waits there for officers.
She failed to provide her personal information to the victim who was left shaken following the collision. The occupants of the property located Ward’s handbag – which she’d forgot to take with her on leaving the scene. Most notably, it contained two bottles of vodka and her driving licence.
When officers attended they quickly established her whereabouts – she was at a relative’s address. Ward was asked to provide a specimen of breath and provided a positive reading, and was subsequently arrested.
In custody, on an evidential breathalyser machine, she blew a reading of 77 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit is 35.
Duty defence solicitor Gordon Hotson told the court his client had been celebrating her mum’s 50th birthday at The Old Lane public house in Chippenham, a party which was also to celebrate Ward’s purchase of her first home with her partner.
“She had two or three glasses of wine there, medium-sized glasses. On reflection, she knows she took a very foolish decision to drive”, he said.
Adding: “She is worried, ashamed and embarrassed about her decision to drive and dearly hopes she’ll never be in this position again.”
He said his client believed she had enough room to drive around the stationary car but accepts she misjudged the manoeuvre, damaging three cars.
Continuing, Mr Hotson commented: “This has cased her a great impediment, not least because she secured a new job [at an interior design company] which she very much enjoys. She is hopeful she can get a lift into work, but by no means can she be she’ll be able to keep her employment.”
In character references provided to magistrates, Ward was described as “creative, happy, confident and trustworthy” by those that know her.
The court heard the defendant has no ongoing battles with drugs or alcohol, nor does she have any notable mental health issues.
The bench disqualified Ward from driving for 22 months, refusing to let her partake in a drink-drive rehabilitation programme that would have reduced her roads ban significantly.
She was also fined £340 for drink driving and £226 for failing to stop at the scene of the crash. She must also pay £85 costs and a victim surcharge.
