Crash driver jailed for her first drink-driving offence – Judge: 'I'd be playing Russian roulette with public safety I I let you walk away'
A FIRST-TIME drink driver has been sent to prison for four weeks after being involved in a crash while three times the drink-drive limit.
Lyndsey Honey, 42, of Flat 202, Cour du Parc, La Charroterie, St Peter Port, pleaded guilty to the offence when she appeared in the Magistrate’s Court.
Judge Gary Perry said sentencing guidelines stated that when readings were above 110 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath, a prison sentence should be passed, even for a first offence.
Ms Honey blew a reading of 111mg.
The court heard how police officers on mobile patrol had followed a Toyota out of Sir Charles Frossard House car park and up Prince Albert Road at 9.40pm.
Both vehicles drove along Queen’s Road, with the police turning right onto the Grange and Ms Honey left onto Les Gravees.
Ms Honey then crashed into an oncoming Peugeot and both vehicles were damaged.
The police turned around and followed the Toyota, which stopped at the nearby Les Rocquettes Hotel.
Ms Honey was in the vehicle and told officers she was ‘pissed’, having drunk two bottles of wine.
She blew an evidential sample of 111mg.
The limit is 35mg.
Ms Honey had previous matters on her record, including a caution for being found drunk in a public place.
Defence advocate Chris Green said while the police had been following Ms Honey, they had not witnessed poor driving and had driven away before the crash happened.
His client knew she had made a serious error of judgement and had now sold her vehicle.
She had been dealing with some mental health problems and a long-term issue with alcohol.
She had a detox at the end of last year, but relapsed after Christmas.
Judge Perry said it was clear there was poor driving, because Ms Honey had crashed, and it was pure luck that the crash had not been more serious.
He noted that Ms Honey had suffered with alcohol issues for a number of years, but had not dealt with the problem.
He said if he let Ms Honey walk out of the court, he would be playing Russian roulette with public safety.
Ms Honey was sentenced to 28 days in prison and was disqualified from driving for four and a half years.
