Mother driving young child drank ‘2 or 3 cans’
A CARMARTHENSHIRE mother driving under the influence of alcohol with her young child in the car came to a stop across the driveway and lawn of a stranger’s property.
The mother, who cannot be named due to reporting restrictions imposed by Llanelli Magistrates’ Court, pleaded guilty to driving while unfit through drink when she appeared in the dock on Thursday.
Prosecutor Vaughan Pritchard Jones said the mother had been driving at around 11pm in Kidwelly, looking for an address at the time of the offence on April 26.
Mr Pritchard Jones added: “Police were called by a gentleman who saw headlights come onto his property at 11pm.
“He went outside to see the car coming to a stop half on his drive and half on the lawn.
“Inside was the defendant and a young child.”
Mr Pritchard Jones added: “The man was concerned she was under the influence of alcohol and she wandered off.
“The child was cold and given a blanket.”
Police spoke to the mother who said she was looking for another address in the town and had no reason to have parked in that particular driveway.
The court heard she refused to give a breathalyser sample and said she wanted to urinate.
Mr Pritchard Jones said: “The concerning issue is the fact there was a child in the car and the way the car came to a stop half on the drive and lawn which clearly shows impairment.”
Defence solicitor Kate Williams said the mother “admitted two to three cans (of alcohol) but felt fine to drive.
“However, she said ‘it hit me’ while driving that she wasn’t fit to be driving and had had little sleep.
“She didn’t want to be driving anymore and clearly had a young child in the car.”
Mrs Williams added: “My client stresses she feels terrible about it, it was a terrible error of judgement.”
Magistrates ordered a pre-sentence report to be carried out ahead of sentencing.
The mother was fined £120 for driving while unfit through drink and disqualified from driving for 18 months. She must also pay £85 court costs and a victim surcharge of £30.