Alcoholic drink-driver banned from the roads

An alcoholic who crashed into cones while driving at over three times the drink-drive limit – and being tailed by police – has been banned from the roads.

Susan Byrne, 51 of Goole Road, Grindon, Sunderland, was spotted swerving across the A183 Chester Road by patrol officers on Saturday, July 11, a court heard.

She was pulled over in nearby Greenwood Road, also Grindon, and failed a roadside breath test.

Byrne was arrested and taken to a police station where a CAMIC procedure showed she had 116mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath. The legal limit is 35mcgs.

The defendant, who also has a drink-drive conviction from 2003, is now starting a 27-month ban for her latest offence.

M a g i s t r at e s i n S o ut h Tyneside heard Byrne was alcohol dependent and her support structure had failed due to coronavirus lockdown.

Prosecutor Kirstie Devine said: “The police’s attention was drawn to a red Kia Picanto driving on the A183.

“It was swerving into cones. The defendant was stopped and failed a roadside breath test. A CAMIC was done and it showed 116mcgs.

“The starting point is a 23 to 28-month ban. This offence was aggravated by an unacceptable standard of driving.”

Richard Copsey, defending, said: “She is alcohol dependent, and her support system has broken down during this time. This is a serious physical alcohol problem. She needs help.”

Byrne, who pleaded guilty to drink-driving, was also handed an 18-month community order with a requirement of 26 days’ rehabilitation work.

She was fined £120 and must pay a £95 victim surcharge.