Market Drayton woman gets ban for drink-driving after colliding with garden fence
A drink-driver from Market Drayton has been banned from the roads after she collided with a garden fence and was then seen by police to spin 180 degrees while attempting to turn.
Leanne Ball was driving a silver Vauxhall Zafira in the vicinity of Fairfields Road, Market Drayton, when she caught the attention of police, Telford Magistrates Court heard yesterday.
Ms Amanda Tomkins, prosecuting, said the 28-year-old made an "erratic" right turn and span 180 degrees before the car came to a stop.
She was stopped by police and failed a roadside breath test.
Ms Tomkins said a police officer also noticed there was damage to her vehicle while talking to her.
She told the court: "Whilst being booked into custody, staff were made aware of another incident in Linden Way."
The court heard there had been reports of a car driving across a garden and damaging a fence near to where Ball had been stopped in Market Drayton.
Ms Tomkins said three plastic car parts were found in the garden and they were a match for Ball's car.
Ball, also of Linden Way, Market Drayton, was given another breath test at the police station and was found to have 55 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.
The legal limit is 35mg.
Ball pleaded guilty to driving while over the legal alcohol limit, failing to report a road traffic accident and failing to stop after a road traffic accident.
The offences happened on January 29.
The court was told she had no previous convictions.
Mr Danny Smith, representing Ball, said she made the decision to get behind the wheel after receiving a call from a friend who had asked for a lift.
He said she had also spoken to the resident whose fence was damaged, offering payment to get it fixed, and was extremely remorseful for her actions.
The court heard she also suffers with mental health issues, which had stemmed from an abusive ex-partner, and had debts amounting to £20,000.
Mr Smith told the court: "She has entered a timely guilty plea.
"The effect of this conviction will be massive upon her."
Sentencing Ball, District Judge Nigel Cadbury told her: "Driving a motor vehicle with excess alcohol is a serious matter.
"The level of the reading does have a direct effect on the length of the disqualification."
Ball was disqualified from driving for 16 months.
She was also fined £110 and ordered to pay £135 costs and £30 victim surcharge.
