Ban will stop me taking kids to see their sick dad, says drink-drive Porsche mum
A MUM who was caught drink-driving behind the wheel of her Porsche sobbed in court as she said a ban will stop her from taking her children to see their terminally-ill dad.
Police officers pulled over Carleen Ball, 32, after they spotted her driving at ‘excess speed’ in the £75,000 car.
The mum, from Cadishead, Salford, then failed a roadside breath test and a subsequent reading showed she was almost double the alcohol limit.
She blew a reading of 57 microgrammes – the legal limit is 35, Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard.
Outlining the facts of the case, District Judge Mark Hadfield said: “Police saw this defendant driving her Porsche on Barton Road in Worsley.
“She was seen driving at excessive speed and was pulled into a car park. She was fully cooperative with police.
“A roadside breath test showed she was almost double the legal limit.”
Ball sobbed in the dock as Judge
Hadfield told her she would receive a driving ban.
The defendant – who has no previous convictions – chose to represent herself in court and told the judge she was ‘so sorry’ for what had happened.
She said a driving ban would mean she would no longer be able to take her two children to see their dad who is terminally-ill.
“I had not eaten all day. I had not been out at all over Christmas”, she said.
“I had two glasses before I left the house and I felt fine. I didn’t feel drunk at all. I was in a really bad place at the time.
“I have two children that depend on me and I don’t work anymore.
“I have to drive my children to see my husband who is terminally ill. I don’t know how I am going to get my children to school and to see their dad.”
Ball, of Roseway Avenue, Cadishead, pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle when alcohol level above limit.
She was banned from driving for 16 months. She was also handed a £150 fine and has to pay £117 in court costs.