‘You could have killed yourself – or someone else’
Drink-driver caught after buying alcohol
DRINK-DRIVER Louise Bristow was caught behind the wheel after police were called to a domestic incident at her house.
Officers went to the 29-year-old’s home in Leek to investigate, then left to locate her partner.
Magistrates at North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard they later went back to the property to see Bristow returning home in her car. She had been out to buy more alcohol.
Prosecutor Jackie Coley-fisher said: “Officers attended at her home address following a domestic disturbance. They spoke to Miss Bristow when they arrived and established her husband had left the address.
“Officers conducted an area search but could not locate him in the area. When they returned to the address, they saw Miss Bristow driving her vehicle back to the address.
“Police suspected she was under the influence of alcohol and a breath test was taken.”
Bristow, of West End Avenue, Leek, went on to provide an alcohol reading of 98 micrograms in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.
She pleaded guilty to driving while above the alcohol limit. The incident took place on March 10.
Mother-of-three Bristow was not represented by a solicitor in court and chose not to address the magistrates.
She was handed an 18-month community order and disqualified from driving for 24 months, which will be reduced if she completes a drink-drive rehabilitation course. She must complete a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement and 80 hours’ unpaid work.
Paul Veal, chairman of the bench, told Bristow: “You called the police, the police turned up. You left the house to buy more alcohol.
“You were a danger not only to yourself, but to every road user out that night.
“You could have killed yourself or someone else.”
Bristow must also pay £230 in court costs and charges.