Virgin Airlines flight attendant who was pulled over for drunk driving at a McDonald’s drive-thru escaped punishment by claiming that her behavior was the result of “bare human fragility” brought on by her dysfunctional relationship.
Early in November, 38-year-old Samantha Sutcliffe bought a lunchtime Big Mac while driving her BMW into a bollard after consuming white wine. She tested almost 2.5 times the legal limit for alcohol.
The mother of one from Scarisbrick, near Ormskirk, Lancashire, said to police when questioned about her 1.15pm arrest: “I did not believe I was above the limit but obviously I was.”
Later, according to her lawyer, she was at a “low ebb” after leaving an abusive relationship, which has now terminated.
Lionel Cope, the prosecutor, said before Sefton Magistrates Court that the incident occurred on November 1 when Miss Sutcliffe was operating a white BMW in the Kew neighborhood of Southport.
She went to a McDonald’s drive-thru, and when she ordered food, the workers suspected she could have been drunk.
Police were called, and when they arrived, they saw that woman seemed to be drinking.
Sutcliffe tested positive for alcohol, and according to Mr. Cope, her reading was 86 micrograms per 100 milliliters of breath.
35mg of alcohol is the permitted limit for driving.
She confessed to the offense throughout the questioning, Mr. Cope said. I didn’t believe I was above the limit, but it’s obvious I was, she remarked.
Driving into a bollard or railings resulted in damage. She has never been convicted before.
Sutcliffe’s attorney, Frank Rogers, stated: “It wasn’t carelessness that was planned.” It was blatant human weakness. a woman who leaves a challenging relationship, hits rock bottom, and accepts her predicament but who, in all other respects, is a lady of excellent character.
“This lady has a history of perfect character.” She has a single child, works two jobs, one full-time and one part-time, and has just left an abusive relationship.
She had reached her lowest point ever during the weekend. She claimed to be at her lowest point. She decided to drive after overindulging in alcohol over the weekend, which was a poor decision.
Her driving history before the event, according to Mr. Rogers, was “immaculate,” and she had had a license for 21 years with no speeding infractions or suspensions.
He said that Sutcliffe was acting “out of character” as a consequence of the encounter.
She works for Virgin Airlines as a long-haul flight steward, Mr. Rogers continued. She has odd hours of work. She works for so many days straight before taking a week vacation.
The loss of her driving privilege, which is unavoidable, will make traveling to work in Manchester very challenging due to the long flight times as well as the fact that she must go from Scarisbrick to Liverpool and then to Manchester.
“Train dependability is not outstanding, even when there are no strikes.” The position is up for grabs, but Virgin has been tremendously supportive of her request to change her schedule.
Mr. Rogers cited references for Sutcliffe’s character, including one from the catering business she began working for during the epidemic and continues to assist on a part-time basis.
They want to keep her on and find a way to get past the prohibition, he said further.
“Those allusions, in my opinion, say a lot.” After this event, she quit a controlling, violent relationship that had lasted for approximately a year.
She was in the depths of despair. Her kid, a few friends, and she had taken a vacation overseas. When her kid came home, she was left alone at home while he went to stay with his father.
She struggled when she had to confront reality and the love she had left behind. Over the weekend, she drank quite consistently, had trouble falling asleep, and claimed to be at her lowest point ever.
She drank two glasses of wine and attempted to place an unsuccessful food order. She made the stupid decision to drive a short distance that she could have easily walked. The fast food was her choice. She made a poor judgment as she drove around the curve and into the bollard.
Sutcliffe was getting expert assistance for her problems, Mr. Rogers said.
The assistant manager at McDonalds confirmed that there had already been some damage, he said.
There is a lot to be said for her since the police characterize her as being composed and obedient.
Sutcliffe was fined £300, ordered to pay costs, and assessed a victim surcharge of £240 after pleading guilty to drunk driving.
In addition, she received a 17-month driving prohibition. However, she was given the option to complete a course on avoiding drunk driving, which would shorten her suspension by 25%.
She earns a net income of £1,200 per month, according to Mr. Rogers, who also noted that there was no history of alcoholism prior to this incident. He asked the court to fine her rather than sentence her to a community order.
He further claimed that she visited McDonald’s the day following the event to apologize and make good on any harm done.
She is aware that she will pay a high price, he said. She feels regret and embarrassment. She is aware that she and her 13-year-old son have been let down.
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