Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Stop drunk mummy from driving child pleads from car

A woman was caught drink-driving after a distressed child was seen shouting "stop mummy driving" and banging on the windows of a car. Central Scotland Police said the car carrying the five-year-old girl was stopped in Falkirk on Sunday afternoon.

When breathalysed, the 35-year-old woman was found to be four times over the legal drink drive limit.

It is understood a member of the public intervened after spotting the distressed girl, opened the rear door of the car and removed her from the vehicle. The car was then stopped by police at Castings Avenue in the town centre.

Ch Insp Donald McMillan, of the area's road policing unit, said: "This motorist was prevented from causing serious injury to herself, her child and other road users. The child was in an extremely distressed state and we are thankful the incident didn't result in serious injuries."

The woman pleaded guilty to three charges at Falkirk Sheriff Court on Monday. They included having a breath alcohol level of 158 microgrammes, nearly four-and-a-half times the legal limit of 35, and putting the child at risk. She will be sentenced next month.

Assistant Chief Constable Jim Green of Strathclyde Police, who is secretary of the Association of Chief Police Officers road policing business area, said: "Never in my 29 years of policing, have I ever heard of such an incident where such a young child has alerted members of the public to a parent's totally unacceptable and inexcusable behaviour."

With news video.

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