GRAN 5 TIMES DRIVING LIMIT IN JAIL LET-OFF
A BOOZED-up granny escaped jail despite being five times over the drink-driving limit.
Karen Eastwood was spotted “all over the road” with an empty wine bottle wedged by her car’s handbrake.
She was already awaiting trial after being found asleep in her Skoda while three times over the limit just five months earlier.
But magistrates at Tameside, Greater Manchester, suspended the hospital worker’s 16-week sentence because she had no previous convictions.
Eastwood, who had 181 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, sobbed with relief and said: “Thank you.”
She was also ordered to pay £300 costs and attend a six-month alcohol treatment course.
Bench chairman Celia Metcalfe told Eastwood, of Denton, Manchester: “You are a danger to yourself and the public due to the readings on both occasions.
“We are going to suspend the sentence due to your lack of previous convictions. But you do need help.”
Angry road safety campaigners last night claimed the punishment “did not fit the crime”.
A spokesman for the Campaign against Drink Driving said: “Despite being caught earlier this year, she was allowed to drive for another five months.
“Drivers like her are allowed to carry on without fear of punishment to fit the crime.”
“Governments past and present have chosen to ignore the will of the public when it comes to the subject of drinking and driving.
“Everyone knows the safe limit is zero. People do many stupid things after drinking. Driving should never be one of them.”