A 40-year-old woman from Crynant, Wales, has been banned from driving for 20 months after crashing her Peugeot into a heavy goods vehicle on the M4 while driving more than three times over the legal alcohol limit.
Helen Bradshaw, who lives on School Road, Crynant, was involved in the collision near Junction 16 of the M4 on 4 February. Her car suffered serious front-end damage after colliding with the lorry. Instead of stopping, Bradshaw fled the scene.
Police followed a trail of skid marks and wreckage to a nearby lay-by, where they found Bradshaw revving her damaged Peugeot loudly. Initially, she denied driving the vehicle but later admitted she was behind the wheel. A roadside breath test showed she was over three times the drink-drive limit, leading to her immediate arrest.
Bradshaw appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Monday 17 February. She pleaded guilty to charges of drink-driving and driving without insurance. The court disqualified her from driving for 20 months and imposed a 12-month community order, which includes 20 days of rehabilitation activity. Additionally, she was ordered to pay £299 in court costs and fines.
Roads Policing Sergeant Will Ayres condemned Bradshaw’s reckless behaviour, stating, “It is shocking that despite the widely-known dangers of drink driving, people are still willing to put themselves and others at risk.” He added, “Bradshaw destroyed the front end of her car in a collision that could have ended far worse. Drink driving is one of the Fatal Five offences, all of which significantly increase the risk of serious or fatal crashes.”
Wiltshire Police are urging the public to report any suspected drink or drug drivers immediately. People can contact the police by calling 101, visiting the Wiltshire Police website, or dialing 999 in an emergency. Anonymous tips can also be made to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.
Originally published by UKNIP.
