Washington mother banned from roads after drink-driving with child in car

A Washington mother has been banned from driving after she was caught more than twice the legal drink-drive limit with her child in the car.

Leigh-Anne Dawson, 36, of Raeburn Avenue, Lambton, was pulled over by police in Front Street, Washington, on Sunday, September 7, after officers received a report of a suspected drink driver with a child passenger.

South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard Dawson had set off in her silver Ford Focus to buy cigarettes following a family issue which had left her upset.

Prosecutor Chike Anieto said an officer who stopped Dawson could smell alcohol and saw that she was visibly distressed. She failed a roadside breath test with a reading of 92mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath – more than twice the legal limit of 35mcg. At the police station she gave an evidential reading of 80mcg.

Magistrates told Dawson her offence was aggravated by the fact a child had been in the car. Chair of the bench John Lee said:

“Anyone who drives a motor car with alcohol in their system puts themselves and others at risk. Your offence is aggravated by the fact you had a child in the back who had no say if they were being driven around by a drink driver.”

The court heard Dawson, a single mother-of-two with no previous convictions, admitted the offence and was remorseful.

Defending, Gerry Armstrong said: “It’s always sad when someone comes before the court for the first time. There had been a family issue and she had jumped in the car to get cigarettes to calm down. It was a one-off mistake.”

Dawson pleaded guilty to drink-driving. She was banned from the roads for 22 months, fined £120, and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £48 victim surcharge.