SMASH ‘COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC’

Driver more than twice legal limit crashed into traffic lights

DRINK-DRIVER Jane Copeland was more than twice the legal alcohol limit when she crashed her car.

The 54-year-old, right, had been drinking at a friend’s house when she decided to drive home.

But police were called when her vehicle collided with traffic signals in Campbell Road, Stoke.

Magistrates at North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard Copeland was taken to hospital following the incident.

Prosecutor Emma Thompson said: “Police were called to Campbell Road to a report of a suspected drink driver who had crashed into a traffic signal.

“Officers arrived and next to the vehicle was this defendant. She was unsteady on her feet and her speech was slurred. She had blood and mud on her clothing.

“She provided a positive roadside breath test. She was taken to the Royal Stoke University Hospital for assessment, where she provided a blood sample.”

The sample revealed Copeland, of Frank Soo Street, Stoke, had a blood alcohol level of 190 milligrams in 100 millilitres – the legal limit is 80.

She pleaded guilty to driving while over the alcohol limit following the incident, which happened on December 18 last year.

Simon Leech, mitigating, said: “She is deeply embarrassed and ashamed by her actions.

“She had finished work and had been asked by a friend, who had lost her husband recently, to attend her house. She did so and consumed alcohol.

“She intended to catch a taxi home from her friend’s house in Hanford. Unfortunately, her friend’s granddaughter needed money for a taxi herself, and foolishly Miss Copeland loaned her the money.

“She thought she was in a fit and proper state to drive home. She admits her judgement was impaired.”

Magistrates fined Copeland £320 and disqualified her from driving for 20 months.

Chairman Colin Porteous said: “This is clearly a potentially extremely serious incident. You were extremely fortunate you didn’t involve anyone else. The consequences had a pedestrian been involved would have been catastrophic.”

She must also pay £169 in court costs and charges.