WOMAN WHO CRASHED RANGE ROVER INTO PARKED CARS WAS TOO DRUNK TO SAY HOME ADDRESS

A Cowes woman who crashed her car whilst more than 3x the drink-drive limit is to be sentenced in March, less than 3 years after her previous drink-drive conviction. Natasha Cavanagh, 38, of St Andrews Street in Cowes, admitted drink driving when she appeared at the Isle of Wight Crown Court earlier this week (19th January). Liz Miller, prosecuting, told the court that on 4th January Police were called to Kings Road in East Cowes after they received reports that a Range Rover had collided with numerous parked cars. The court heard how Cavanagh was attempting to flee the scene driving forwards, despite the parked vehicles blocking her path. Once they had arrived, officers approached the vehicle and noticed a bottle of Vodka on the passenger seat. When questioned, Cavanagh told Police she was at home and not behind the wheel of her car – but was too intoxicated to say where she lived. A roadside breath test returned a positive reading as did a further test at Newport Police Station. The lowest reading recorded was 130 – the legal limit is 35ug/l. The court heard how a message on Cavanagh’s phone written in capital letters told her distinctly not to drink drive and that people were coming to find her. Defending, Oscar Vincent, told the court that on the day in question, a family issue had arisen and that the 38-year-old mother of 1 had no recollection of events, but that she won’t challenge the facts of the case. Magistrates adjourned the case until 1st March 2024 when an all-options pre-sentence report is to be compiled. The 38-year-old was handed an interim driving ban. Previously convicted for drink driving back in 2021, when a reading of 129 was returned, Cavanagh will be eligible for a mandatory driving ban of at least 36 months when she is sentenced later this year.