A MOTHER who was “dangerously drunk” behind the wheel on a school run while subject to a suspended jail term has been given a “final chance” by a judge.
Christine Rowley, 43, committed two drink-drive offences in just eight days.
On September 16, Rowley pulled from a minor road on to the A595 near Aspatria in front of another motorist, who was forced to brake hard and then watched as she swerved and mounted grass verges before coming to a halt. She was found to be almost five-and-a-half times the legal limit and later confessed to knocking back gin, Baileys and vodka before heading to pick her children up from school.
She was bailed but, on September 24, failed another breath test and was almost twice the legal limit while transporting two of her children during an early morning A595 trip.
Rowley, of Oglanby Terrace, Fletchertown, admitted two drink-drive offences, had spent a month in custody on remand and was in breach of a prison term imposed for stealing more than £50,000 while working at a children’s nursery.
Carlisle Crown Court heard she had been “struggling to cope” following the tragic death of her partner, and started drinking to excess in July. Judge James Adkin was also told she was suffering from post traumatic stress disorder although immediate psychiatric treatment and a probation service appointment were said to be imminent.
Judge Adkin opted to give Rowley a “final chance”, imposing a 12-month community order comprising alcohol treatment and rehabilitation, and a two-year driving ban.
“You were caught driving extremely drunk. Dangerously drunk,” Judge Adkin said of the first incident. “Goodness only knows what could have easily happened if you had had your children in the car.”
