A MOTORIST has been left feeling “utterly ashamed and embarrassed” after she got behind the wheel while more than three times the legal drink drive limit.
Welshpool Magistrates’ Court heard this week that Jodie Hughes could not remember what made her get in her car on January 19 after drinking in Powys with her niece.
Hughes, 41, lives almost 70 miles in Carmarthenshire, but got in her Ford Kuga after drinking in Newtown to celebrate her niece’s 18th birthday.
Police stopped Hughes in Dolfor after being given information about her driving from Newtown.
She was arrested when she failed a roadside breath test, which produced a reading of 113 microgrammes of alcohol in her breath – the legal limit is just 35 micrograms.
Hughes admitted drink driving in court on Tuesday, February 6.
OTHER NEWS:
- Powys spa town residents bathing in share of £1.2 million
- Three 'Four in a bed' Powys holiday lodges up for sale
- Powys mum panicked and drove home after drinking wine
“She was alone in the car and police noticed she smelt of alcohol and had bloodshot eyes," said prosecutor Helen Tench.
“She said she’d consumed alcohol earlier but had not had anything to drink for a few hours. She failed a roadside test and was arrested.”
Mrs Tench said Hughes had no previous convictions.
Acting for the defendant, of Plas, Llanybydder, Owain Jones said her family would suffer as Hughes cares for her mother.
“She is anxious and nervous about these proceedings. She is utterly ashamed and embarrassed,” he said.
“She struggles to remember the incident but accepts that the risk caused was great. It is not in her nature, which is demonstrated by her lack of previous convictions.”
Probation officer Julian Davies interviewed Hughes and told the court: “She consumed a lot of alcohol on an empty stomach; she intended to stay with her niece.
“She was extremely remorseful in interview and accepts her actions could have had a devastating impact on other road users and herself.”
Mr Davies said Hughes had recently moved in with her partner in Carmarthenshire and works for a local housing association, but has a conditional offer of new job, prompted by her impending driving ban.
Hughes was banned from driving for 27 months; but she can reduce this by completing a drink driving awareness course.
She was handed a 12-month community order, which will include 10 rehabilitation activity days and a requirement to complete 40 hours of unpaid work. She must also pay £85 costs and a £114 surcharge.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here