Woman drove 40 miles while three times the drink drive limit:
SHE STRUCK TRAFFIC OFFICER WHEN HE STEPPED INTO ROAD TO STOP HER
AWOMAN who drove for more than 40 miles more than three times the drink drive limit has been spared a jail sentence.
Penelope Jayne Mac MasterKilshaw was driving her white Range Rover erratically on the A494, A470 and A483 on June 14.
Last Tuesday a crown court judge decided she should not be jailed.
But she may be facing another brush with the law after she was seen throwing away a cigarette moments before stepping into the court, in breach of Gwynedd council’s strict anti-littering rules.
The court heard Master-Kilshaw, from Hagley in Worcestershire, admitted charges of dangerous driving and excess alcohol.
She received a nine month sentence suspended for 18 months.
Judge Peter Heywood said: “This was dangerous driving over a significant distance when you were not in proper control of the vehicle.
“Thankfully, more by luck than judgement you were not involved in a collision.”
Barrister Sion ap Mihangel, prosecuting, said Master-Kilshaw was driving her vehicle on the A494 near Corwen at about 10am on June 14 and stopped at roadworks.
“An area had been set up to protect the workforce and traffic was controlled by temporary lights and a convoy system.
“The defendant parked at the front of the queue but was obstructing oncoming traffic and motorists were pointing at her and shaking their heads.
“She was waiting for about 20 minutes and started sounding her horn impatiently. She set off from the lights before the convoy escorting vehicle had completed its manoeuvre.
“Traffic officer Ieuan Jones was aware of the vehicle and stepped into the road and held up his hands to stop it. The vehicle did not stop and as he tried to get out of the way he was struck on the shin and thigh. The vehicle stopped and Mr Jones shouted at the driver whose eyes were glazed and her speech slurred.
“She drove on and struck Mr Jones again,” the barrister said.
He added Mr Jones was not badly injured but the incident had made him realise how dangerous his job could be.
Master-Kilshaw drove on and was seen by other motorists driving erratically on the road through Bala towards Dolgellau and on the A470 towards Trawsfynydd and later the A487 towards Maentwrog.
“Police had been alerted and officers saw the vehicle near Maentwrog and signalled it to stop. Before it stopped the officers saw it twice cross double white lines,” added Mr ap Mihangel.
A roadside breath test was positive and Master-Kilshaw was arrested and taken to Caernarfon police station.
Tests there showed she had an alcohol level of 127 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.
Mr ap Mihangel said empty alcohol bottles were found in the vehicle footwell.
Master-Kilshaw was also banned from driving for 30 months and will have to take an extended re-test before getting her licence back.
She must also undergo an Alcohol Treatment course for six months and attend 20 days’ rehabilitation organised by the Probation Service.
A spokesman for Gwynedd council said the authority would be investigating the cigarette littering incident, and that culprits could expect to be punished.
The spokesman said: “Whilst it would not be appropriate for us to comment on individual cases, we can confirm that all evidence of littering that is presented to Gwynedd council is thoroughly investigated and, where appropriate, financial penalties are issued.”