Despite being found slumped behind the wheel with slurred speech and stinking of alcohol, a Totland woman has claimed in court that she hadn’t been drinking.
Lorraine Mildred Daniels, 61, care of The Broadway in Totland, pleaded guilty to failing to provide when she appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
The court heard that at 21:20 on 17th September this year, a concerned member of the public alerted Police to a suspected drink driver on Copnor Road, Portsmouth. Police soon located the Suzuki Swift that had been seen swerving over the road and found Daniels slumped in the driver’s seat with the keys in the ignition.
It soon became evident to officers that Daniels had slurred speech and smelt strongly of alcohol. Despite this, Lorraine Daniels appeared in court this week claiming she hadn’t drunk that night but that an open bottle of whisky had spilt in the car, causing the strong smell. Daniels’ solicitor said that her client was trying to pick the bottle up and this explained the swerving – but Magistrates simply didn’t believe that version of events.
Liz Miller, prosecuting, explained to Magistrates that Daniels, a care worker, had been obstructive to Police when in custody before claiming she had taken an overdose of diazepam. The 61-year-old was taken to the Queen Alexandra Hospital at Cosham where she refused to give a blood sample. It was then discovered that she hadn’t taken any pills.
Defending, Amy Hosell said that her client was on the mainland due to a break up of her relationship and that she was in the wrong kind of mind. It was also said that Lorraine didn’t know how to deal with the situation, refusing to provide believing she would get a solicitor.
In their sentencing, Magistrates said that factors taken into consideration included that Daniels had failed to provide twice, wasted NHS resources, lied about overdosing and had driven between 100 and 200 miles that night.
Daniels was handed an 8-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, as well as being disqualified from driving for 32 months. She was also ordered to complete 15 rehabilitation days and pay £85 costs with a £128 surcharge.
ha tried blagging her way out of it and failed miserably.
another hopeless drunk wasting everyone’s time and being a burden to the police and nhs
Suspended sentence unbelievable…blatant liar
Deserved but if she was drugged up lad , no licence , insurance or MOT and involved in high speed police chase and crash – gets a 12 MTH ban (not even had licence) and petty fine.
I sometimes wonder if the damn judges fancy some of these young blokes they let get away with so much.
So an open bottle of whisky spilt as she was driving making her swerve, who was she trying to fool, luckily she didnt hit anyone, she deserves all she got and just takes another drink driver off our roads.
So to sum this up Lorraine Daniels of Totland is a liar to and obviously is not to be trusted. Many couples split up, and aren’t in the best set of mind, but they don’t drive up to 200 miles whilst drunk, aren’t abusive to NHS staff, Police Officers. Ridicules I’m so disappointed this person wasn’t sent to prison. Too many drunks are getting away with what I personally consider a light punishment. Island echo you should of uploaded a photo of her face. Absolute zero tolerance to these P***Heads.
I believe every word she said. I mean who doesn’t drive round with an open bottle of whisky lmao!