30-year-old Ashleigh Garrett, who crashed her car onto its roof after consuming 2 glasses of wine with a friend, has been banned from the roads for 40 months.
Garrett, of Furrlongs in Newport, admitted drink driving and possession of a controlled drug of Class B (cannabis) when she appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court earlier this week (Tuesday).
Lauren McConnell, prosecuting, told the court that at around 21:00 on the evening of 7th November, Police were called to Barton Road in Newport following reports of a road traffic collision, as first reported by Island Echo.
At the scene, Garrett’s Peugeot 207 had collided with a parked vehicle and had rolled onto its side in the middle of the carriageway.
Upon their arrival, officers conducted a roadside breath test which returned an above-level reading of 85. Further tests conducted at Newport Police Station gave a reading of 81, more than 2x the legal limit of 35.
Whilst at the scene, Police searched Garrett’s vehicle and found a small quantity of cannabis in the glove box. Garrett stated in interview that the drugs were not hers and that she wasn’t a cannabis smoker, but she accepted the fact that the cannabis was in her possession.
Defending the part-time cook, Brian McMonnies said that fortunately there were no injuries sustained in the smash and that she hadn’t planned to drink but made a ‘foolish’ decision to drive home after consuming 2 large glasses of wine.
The court heard how Garrett was convicted of drug driving back in 2019 meaning she was to be sentenced to a minimum 3-year driving ban.
Magistrates opted to ban Garrett from the roads for 40 months and fined her £300. She was also ordered to pay costs of £85 and a £120 surcharge fee.
Drink “or / and” Drug Driving should = instant
imprisonment!
It doesn’t say whether the car was a write-off but if not it should be crushed. People need to learn that if they drink and drive or use drugs and drive (especialy repeatedly) they forfeit their car. That may provide a bit more deterent than a ban they often simply ignore.