A woman has avoided going straight to prison after police discovered she was almost five times the drink-drive limit when reportedly colliding with bollards while motoring through Eastbourne.
Her three-month sentence was instead suspended for a year.
On the evening of Friday 2 April, police received a call from a member of the public concerned by the manner of driving of a blue Seat in the Eastbourne area.
Officers traced the vehicle, based on the registration number provided by the witness, and its drivers was signalled to stop in St. Anthony's Avenue.
Police identified her as Sarah Walsh, 45, a care worker, of Cross Street, Herne Bay, Kent.
She failed a breath test, and was subsequently charged with driving with 170mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in her system – almost five times the legal limit of 35mcg.
Walsh admitted the offence, and at Hastings Magistrates’ Court on 16 June, she was sentenced to 14 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months.
She was also disqualified from driving for 36 months, and required to pay a £128 victim surcharge and £85 costs.
Sergeant Vicki Rees, of the Sussex Roads Policing Unit, said:
“Thanks to a member of the public, we were able to locate and stop the driver, and prevent her from potentially causing serious injury – or worse – to herself or someone else.
“This case demonstrates that we will respond to reports of drink or drug-drivers as we strive to keep everyone safe on our roads, and take robust action against offenders who put lives at risk.”
At the time of writing, police in Sussex along with colleagues in Surrey were running a month-long campaign dedicated to tackling drink and drug-driving.
Officers said anyone arrested during the campaign and convicted of offences can expect to be identified on police websites and social media channels.
They claimed it was to act "as a deterrent and to hold offenders accountable for their actions".
The consequences of drink or drug-driving could include the following:
- A minimum 12 month ban;
- An unlimited fine;
- A possible prison sentence;
- A criminal record, which could affect your current and future employment;
- An increase in your car insurance;
- Trouble travelling to countries such as the USA;
- Causing death or serious injury.
People in Sussex can text officers on 65999 with the details of people they suspect of drink or drug-driving, or visit the Operation Crackdown website.
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