A mother who drove her uninsured Audi 4×4 while nearly three times the legal limit of alcohol to pick up her two young children from a babysitter faces jail time after admitting to drunk driving today.
Rhian Hughes, 41, allegedly became aggressive with authorities when she was stopped for ‘tailgating’ an off-duty special constable and subsequently failed a blood test.
Prior to agreeing to pick up her own child and a family friend’s child in her Audi Q3 TDI SE, Hughes, from Winsford, Cheshire, had been drinking wine at a lunchtime event but hadn’t eaten anything.
Blood tests revealed she had 224 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood. The legal limit for alcohol in blood is 80 milligrams. Further investigation revealed that the vehicle’s insurance had expired prior to the incident.
Rhian Hughes (pictured), a 41-year-old mother from Cheshire who drove her uninsured Audi 4×4 while nearly three times the legal limit while returning two small children from a women’s shelter, faces prison after confessing to drink driving today.
Hughes guilty at Crewe magistrates court to driving under the influence, driving without insurance, and being drunk and disorderly. She will be punished at a later date, but she might face up to six months in jail.
Hughes was observed driving erratically on the A50 in Holmes Chapel at 3 p.m. on July 9, 2016, after the incident happened.
Prosecutor Leanne Gallagher stated, “An off-duty special constable testified that he was tailgated by an Audi Q3 driver who was also swerving across the road behind him.”
He stopped his vehicle, exited to confront the driver, and observed that she was quite intoxicated. Additionally, she had two children in the backseat.
Officers were summoned and dispatched. They reported that the defendant had slurred speech, was unsteady on her feet, had glazed eyes, and reeked of alcohol. The results of a roadside breath test were positive.
“At the side of the road, she became combative and argumentative with the officers.” She was visibly intoxicated and behaving disorderly by cursing and staggering around. Clearly, she was unfit to operate a motor vehicle that was uninsured, and she was arrested and required to submit a blood sample.
Today in Crewe magistrates’ court, Hughes (pictured) pled guilty to driving under the influence, driving without insurance, and being drunk and disorderly.
Hughes had one prior conviction from 2019 for operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, for which she was fined.
Miss Gallagher emphasized that she was “well over the limit” according to the sentencing guidelines and that there were two children in the vehicle at the time.
Lesley Barnett, who represents Hughes, stated that she had been out drinking with a friend the day before. On the day of the offense, she took one of her children to a function with a friend who also brought one of her children. The ages of the children were five and nine.
“She had a few drinks while there, but nothing to eat,” Miss Barnett explained. “Her friend left her child with her, and she left in her own vehicle.” Ms. Hughes felt comfortable driving. She loaded the children into the car and began driving home.
In a very short time, she began to feel incredibly exhausted. She described waiting in a lengthy traffic queue. She was awaiting the completion of a roundabout before she would pull over and phone her pal because she felt ill.
As you have heard, at that time the officer approached her. She was unhappy. The day was incredibly hot. She asked whether she could leave the car running with the air conditioning on for the children, but she was informed that this was not permitted.
The children exited the vehicle in the sunlight. She repeated her request to be moved to the shade. She was irate. She acknowledges that she retaliated against the police and that she should not have done so or caused a commotion on the side of the road.
She was escorted to the police station where she underwent blood testing, which explains why the case has taken so long to reach court.
Regarding the auto insurance. The car was initially insured, but the insurance company sent her an email requesting a copy of her no-claims bonus. She was unaware that it had been classified as trash mail. The insurance company then terminated the coverage. She had not received a letter via the mail. She was unaware of its placement in her junk mail.
She must face the fact that she was uninsured on the date in question.
Hughes was drinking wine during a midday event, but had not eaten prior to offering to pick up her own child and a family friend’s youngster in her Audi Q3 TDI SE (stock photo of an Audi Q3)
Miss Barnett informed the court that Hughes resides with her partner and children and works four days per week. Since the event, social services have inspected Hughes and her children but determined there are no ongoing concerns.
The attorney stated that Hughes had also completed a course that teaches people about the consequences of alcohol and safe consumption. Miss Barnett asked the magistrates to consider a fine instead of a community order with rehabilitation activity days, arguing that the training was akin to what the probation service would likely provide as part of a community order.
Due to her professional and familial obligations, she stated that unpaid work may potentially be inappropriate.
Miss Barnett said, “Given the circumstances, if you felt that she had already completed the rehabilitative component of what would be a community penalty, would you consider a fine as an alternative to assist with the punishment component?” She added, “She does not have alcohol problems.” She drinks at weekends and social functions. The course has benefited her.’
Miss Barnett noted that Hughes would have to take public transportation via Northwich to reach her employer in Knutsford due to her mandatory driving suspension.
The probation report hearing was adjourned until January 24 and an interim driving prohibition was imposed.
Mrs. Annie Walford, the chairwoman of the court, stated, “The bench feels it needs to know more about you and this offense before you are sentenced.”
The most effective method is for the probation service to produce a report.
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