A Carlisle nurse was caught more than twice the legal limit for alcohol when she was stopped by officers on Christmas Day.
George Shelley, prosecuting, informed the court that police officers witnessed a black Lexus car drifting from side to side along the A69 near Warwick-on-Eden, at around 11.15am.
When the driver, 32-year-old Victoria Hodgson, was stopped by officers, the court heard she smelt of intoxicants and was very emotional and upset. She then failed a roadside breathalyser test and was arrested.
She then supplied an evidential breath sample with a reading of 74 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath – over twice the legal limit of 35 microgrammes.
The court heard how the defendant worked as a nurse at the height of the coronavirus pandemic and also worked overtime during that period.
Hodgson appeared before Carlisle’s magistrates’ court today and pleaded guilty to drink driving.
Lauren Heasley, defending, told the court her client had been working the night before and arrived home to Wallholme, Low Row, and had a few drinks with her partner. They then together opened their Christmas presents the next morning and had a drink.
An argument then followed and Hodgson decided to leave by car. She was stopped shortly after by police.
The court was told Hodgson worked at Carlisle’s Cumberland Infirmary and they have been informed of today’s case. Hodgson is unsure what the impact will be for her, the court heard.
Magistrates disqualified Hodgson from driving for 19 months, fined her £530, ordered her to pay prosecuting costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £53.
Presiding Nick Swinscoe said the magistrates understood that she felt intimidated by her partner, and left, but there should have been other options and she chose the wrong one.
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