A mother who was driving under the influence of alcohol, with her two young children unrestrained in the backseat, has avoided a jail sentence. Kirsty Jones, 36, from Abbeyvale Drive in Belle Vale, was observed driving erratically in her Vauxhall Corsa by a police officer on June 11. The officer detected a strong smell of alcohol when he approached her vehicle, where he found two toddlers aged three and two without seatbelts on.
Jones, who had consumed a significant amount of alcohol before driving, was arrested and later blew 138mg on a breathalyzer test, nearly four times over the legal limit. She pleaded guilty to charges of drink driving, being drunk in charge of a child, driving with unrestrained children, and violating a previous suspended sentence.
During the court hearing, Jones expressed remorse for her actions and tearfully apologized. Her defense lawyer, Ms. Megan Cox, highlighted Jones’ past struggles with violence, alcohol misuse, and mental health issues, emphasizing her efforts to seek help and turn her life around after the incident. The judge, Gary Woodhall, acknowledged the seriousness of the offenses but decided to suspend Jones’ 14-week prison sentence for 12 months.
Judge Woodhall noted that while the children were put at risk, he believed in the possibility of Jones’ rehabilitation. As part of her sentence, Jones must complete a 20-day rehabilitation program and attend a 12-month alcohol treatment program. Additionally, her existing suspended prison sentence was extended by three months to ensure compliance with the court’s orders.