A driver who failed to provide a breath sample after crashing her Audi into a parked car has been banned from the roads for two and a half years.
Susan Smallwood, 50, of Pica Cottages, Pica, had previously denied a charge of failing to provide specimen for analysis but was convicted following a trial held on June 8.
She was sentenced at Workington Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said officers were called to a road traffic collision at 6pm on November 16 in Workington last year.
A grey Audi had collided with another vehicle parked further down the road.
Smallwood admitted she had hit a car but when asked to provide a specimen of breath, she refused to do so.
She “smelled strongly of intoxicants” and was arrested, the court heard.
At the police station, officers tried to obtain a sample of breath again but Smallwood became abusive. She did not provide a medical exemption for not being able to provide a sample.
Smallwood, who was unrepresented, said: “At the hearing, I had to represent myself. We spoke about the circumstances of what I had been through. Recent events of losing my husband. I had been looking after him for four years.
“It was a traumatic time. There was no help or support for me. I was in considerable distress that night. I have never been in trouble before.
“I live out in a remote area. I really need my driver’s licence.”
Magistrates banned Smallwood from driving for 30 months.
Passing sentence, lead magistrate, Christopher Droet, said: “That is a very long time. That is reflecting how serious this offence is.”
Smallwood was also given an 18-month community order with 18 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
She was fined £180 and ordered to pay £620 costs and a £95 victim 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 The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.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