A TRIP to McDonald’s has proved hugely costly for a hungry Powys motorist after she lost her licence due to drink driving.
Bethan Evans, an assistant carer, was described as a “very mature, responsible lady” who would not normally have got behind the wheel after drinking at Welshpool Magistrates’ Court this week.
However, the court was told the 37-year-old had been persuaded to drive to McDonald’s in Welshpool by a friend in the early hours of October 8.
At court on Tuesday, October 31, Evans, of Orchard Close, Churchstoke, admitted one charge of drink driving.
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Prosecutor Rebecca Kuipers said Dyfed Powys Police officer PC Willis saw Evans’ BMW driving at “excessive speed” towards Newtown at around 1.25am on October 8.
The officer had noticed the same vehicle parked near pubs and clubs in Welshpool earlier the previous evening.
“PC Willis then saw the vehicle coming back towards Welshpool, then it turned off its lights and was only illuminated by the police vehicle’s lights,” said Ms Kuipers.
“The officer spoke to the defendant, there was a strong smell of alcohol. The defendant said to the officer she was ‘bang to rights’. She was unsteady on her feet and her speech was slurred.”
Evans, who was stopped on Red Lane, near Powis Castle, provided a reading of 67 micrograms of alcohol in her breath – the legal limit is 35 micrograms.
Ms Kuipers said Evans had a previously clean record.
Rob Hanratty, acting for Evans, said: “The car had been parked up and was originally meant to stay there.
“She is a very mature, responsible lady, who would never normally have done this. She was persuaded after some drinks, against her better judgement, to drive to McDonald’s by a male friend.
“He panicked as they were being followed and, as they drove up the Berriew road, he turned the lights off. She is the driver and is responsible, but she didn’t turn the lights off."
Magistrates disqualified Evans from driving for 18 months, a ban she can reduce if she completes a drink driving rehabilitation programme.
She was also fined £207 and told to pay £85 costs and an £83 surcharge.
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