A POWYS woman who had twice been banned from the roads for drink driving, is now starting another three-year ban after being found "intoxicated" after a crash.
Michelle Marie Heath, 52, must also wear a tag for the next four months to monitor her alcohol intake, after her latest offence, committed in early August.
Heath, of Colwyn, Newtown, was arrested after a road traffic collision between Welshpool and Llanfyllin, on August 5.
Heath was found “heavily intoxicated” at an address following the crash, but she refused to provide a sample of breath, blood or urine for analysis. She admitted failing to provide at Welshpool Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, August 22.
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Prosecutor Helen Tench said the offence took place at Aberystwyth Police Station following Heath’s arrest.
“It was around 7.30pm (August 4) when police received a call from a member of the public, regarding a VW Polo, which was seen driving along the A483 towards Welshpool, on Salop Road,” said Mrs Tench.
“The standard of driving was described as very poor and the vehicle was later involved in an accident on the A490 near Bwlch-y-Cibau.
“At around 10.20pm officers were deployed to another call and came across a car in a ditch, it was heavily damaged. The officers were on their way to another incident in Llanfyllin so put tape around it.
“Later, the defendant was found heavily intoxicated at an address. She was erratic and hard to converse with. She was very animated.
“She confirmed she was the driver when in a road traffic collision, but she would not give a sample.”
Heath was taken to Aberystwyth where, early on August 5, she was requested to provide a sample, and was "obstructive", Mrs Tench said, swearing and saying "no, no, no".
Mrs Tench said Heath had two relevant previous convictions, for drink driving, but both were over 10 years ago.
Defending, Owain Jones said his client was “embarrassed”, "apologetic" and "extremely nervous”.
He said she was offered a drink driving rehabilitation course 20 years ago.
Heath, a mother-of-three, was interviewed by probation officer Jade Price, who told the court the defendant feels “remorse and shame”.
“She does dispute some elements of the case,” said Ms Price.
“She says she drunk alcohol following the accident, which is why she refused. This is her fourth motoring offence and there have been two previous drink driving offences, the first in 1999.
“She was a full-time chef but had to finish due to ill health. She has always worked so has found unemployment hard."
Magistrates did consider a prison sentence, but said they did not feel it was required.
They instead issued Heath with a 12-month community order. This will include 12 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
She will also be fitted with an alcohol abstinence monitor for 120 days.
She was banned from driving for 36 months and was not offered a drink drive awareness course. She must also pay a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.
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