Drug-driver’s jail term is suspended Mum involved in police chase after ‘panicking’
ADRUG-DRIVING mum who had taken cocaine with a friend while her daughter was cared for by her mother was spared jail.
Leanne Pearson led police officers on a three-minute chase through Southport after she “panicked” when they tried to stop her.
The 28-year-old cried in the dock when grilled by a top Liverpool judge who asked her “what if a nineyear-old girl had stepped out into the road”.
William Beardmore, prosecuting, at Liverpool Crown Court, explained that on May 15 last year police officers were on patrol in Southport when they saw a black Vauxhall Meriva.
The car was indicated as uninsured on an Automatic Number Plate Recognition system – although the court heard she brought papers to a magistrates hearing to confirm she was insured.
When police put their lights on to indicate Pearson should stop the car, she continued on Scarisbrick New Road travelling at 50mph on a 30mph road and after continuing to evade police sped up to 60mph.
Mr Beardmore explained she then turned left onto Hampton Road and after turning again sped into the path of two motorcycles which were forced to swerve out of her way.
The court heard after turning into Kensington Road Pearson left the vehicle and ran into a house – but an occupant went out and told police she was there.
Mr Beardmore told the court that after her arrest a blood sample showed she had 60 micrograms of cocaine per litre of blood, which is above the specified limit of 50 micrograms of blood.
Pearson also had 6.1 micrograms of cannabis per litre of blood, exceeding the limit of two micrograms.
Mr Beardmore said that in an interview Pearson told officers she had driven away as she had been “using cocaine the previous evening” and was “worried if she stopped it would be detected in her system”.
Pearson has two previous convictions for dissimilar offences.
Kate Morley, defending, explained it was a “classic case” of “poor decision-making”.
She said: “The defendant readily accepts her behaviour was reckless and ultimately her driving was dangerous.
“Fortunately there was no collision but she acknowledges that is with sheer good luck.”
Ms Morley said the pursuit was “short-lived” noting the chase lasted three minutes and there was little traffic.
She said: “The reason for her frankly terrible driving was she panicked. She was fearful she would be detained.”
Ms Morley explained that Pearson’s only previous convictions took place after she was 25 and are dissimilar to this offence.
The court heard Pearson lives with a female friend but is a single parent, with her daughter going to her mother’s house once a week.
Ms Morley said this was a “difficult and unnerving time for her daughter” explaining Pearson is ordinarily a waitress but is currently furloughed.
The court heard she suffers from depression which has been “exacerbated by numerous lockdowns”.
Ms Morley told the court Pearson is no longer misusing drugs and asked the judge to suspend any custodial sentence.
The judge asked Ms Morley a number of questions about child care and determined that if Pearson were jailed her daughter would stay with her mother, who works five days a week.
He also asked where the nineyear-old was when Pearson had been taking cocaine, and she confirmed her daughter had been staying with her mother.
Pearson, of Kensington Road, Southport, admitted driving a motor vehicle dangerously and driving with cannabis and cocaine in her system above the specified limit.
Judge David Aubrey, QC, said: “I’m told it was the night before you had used cannabis and cocaine – I am told that night your nine-yearold daughter was not at home but was staying overnight with your mother.”
The judge, speaking about the chase, said: “All you were concerned with was an endeavour to evade being stopped and apprehended by the police.
“What if a nine-year-old girl had stepped out into the road whilst you were driving at 40mph in a 20mph zone?
“Just think. What if it had been someone else behind that wheel and it had been your nine-year-old daughter who had stepped out into the middle of the road? That’s how serious this case is.”
Judge Aubrey noted the offence took place during a period of lockdown, but accepted he did not know if they were in the same bubble.
Judge Aubrey said: “I will have to accept that if you do receive an immediate custodial sentence today then your daughter would reside with your mother and somehow or other would seek to continue her employment and care for your child, or perhaps your stepfather would care for your daughter.”
Judge Aubrey said there was potential for rehabilitation and said Pearson’s “issues” could be addressed with work from the probation service.
As he suspended the sentence the judge said: “I currently have at the forefront of my mind the impact any custodial sentence will have upon your daughter.”
The judge also took into account her prompt guilty pleas and the impact of Coronavirus on prisoners.
Pearson was handed a 10-month sentence suspended for 18 months and was disqualified from driving for two years.
She must also complete 30 days of Rehabilitation Activity Requirements and 100 hours of unpaid work.
As Judge Aubrey passed the sentence he said: “You must realise how close you have come to receiving an immediate custodial sentence today.”