Mum, 33, drove kids while over the limit

A boozy Chapelhall mum drove a car while more than four times over the alcohol limit – with her three children in the vehicle.

Joanne Muldoon, 33 – who was also convicted of drink driving in 2017 – put the youngsters’ lives in peril on July 27.

After receiving a tip- off, police witnessed Muldoon get into her Land Rover on Dunnock Place before driving a short distance with the children aged six, four and two in the back seat.

When stopped she denied that she had been drinking, but a check proved she had 94mg of alcohol in a breath sample; the legal limit is 22mg.

At Airdrie Sheriff Court last week, the procurator fiscal said: “At 7pm the accused’s ex- partner contacted police to say he thought the accused was planning on driving under the influence of alcohol with children in the car.

“At 7.05pm, police attended the locus and saw the accused get into the driver’s side of a vehicle and drive it.

“They stopped the vehicle

and cautioned her but she denied having anything to drink.

“Her children, aged six, four and two, were on seats in the vehicle and her ex-partner attended and removed the children.

“The drink driving procedure was carried out and the reading showed she was over the limit.”

Muldoon’s defence solicitor said: “She’s 33-years-old and currently subject to supervision imposed in September 2017.

“She’s complied with that and it expires later this month. She’s not employed because her criminal record is causing her some difficulty, but that’s consequences of her own behaviour.

“Her background is sad, but I don’t want to disclose the details of her previous relationship.

“Until 2017 she had never set foot in court; tragic personal circumstances started this spiral of behaviour.

“The pattern of offending suggests this correlates with abuse and trying to leave the family home.

“She’s thoroughly embarrassed that she drove that day. A community payback order with unpaid work would allow her the opportunity to regain some structure in her life.

“I would also welcome supervision as she has a good relationship with her social worker.

“Her first conviction was in July 2017 and she knows now the minimum time she can be disqualified for is three years.”

Addressing Muldoon, Sheriff David Young said: “Clearly this is a serious matter made even more significant because you had kids in your car.

“The report contains details of your circumstances and I won’t repeat those in open court.

“I’m disqualifying you from driving for three years and placing you under supervision for 18 months.

“You must also carry out 100 hours of unpaid work in the next three months.”