Student nurse twice the drink-drive limit
A STUDENT nurse who was caught almost twice the drink drive limit has been banned from the road - she said it was her first night out after lockdown was partially lifted.
Keily Curtis, 29, was stopped by unmarked police officers in Salford after they noticed her driving ‘erratically’ in an Audi S3.
As they spoke to her, she smelt strongly of intoxicants and was slurring her words, Manchester magistrates court heard.
She gave a positive result at a roadside breath test and was subsequently arrested. After being taken into the police station, she took another breathalyser test - the lowest reading was 74mg in 100ml of alcohol. The legal limit is 35mg.
In an emotional plea to the court, Curtis, from Salford, said: “I’m really sorry, this is the worst thing I have ever done.”
She pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle above the alcohol limit, and was banned from driving for 18 months.
Prosecutor Steve Woodman said the incident took place on July 11 this year, when officers in an unmarked police car were patrolling the side streets in the Salford area.
“They spotted a black Audi S3 driving erratically along Dudley street, and they followed that vehicle to Honey Street,” Mr Woodman said.
“She then alighted the driver’s seat and the unmarked police officers approached her.
“They spoke to her, she smelt strongly of intoxicants and was slurring her words.
“There was a positive result at the roadside breath test.
“She was arrested and taken to Central Park police station.”
Speaking from the dock, a tearful Curtis said: “I’ve been employed at a public house for three years. I’m really sorry, it was my first night out after lockdown. I’ve started uni doing a nursing course - this is the worst thing I have ever done. I’m really sorry.”
Sentencing the mum-of-two, JP Nicholas Cummins said: “Clearly you are aware of the circumstances, the offence committed and the gravity of it.”
Curtis, of Bower Street, Salford, was disqualified for 18 months, and was offered a drink drive rehabilitation course. She was also fined £120 and ordered to pay £34 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.