A drink driver had only had her licence back for three months when she was snared again.
Melissa Trimble proved she'd failed to learn her lesson after getting behind the wheel while over the limit twice in less than two years. A court heard that the 37-year-old was first pulled over in October 2020 and convicted six months later in April 2021, when she was given a driving ban.
However, Trimble, who also has a past conviction for being in charge of a vehicle while drunk from 2009, had only had her licence back for three months when she decided to drive her Ford Fiesta while over the limit through Blyth, a court was told.
She was once more stopped by police and arrested after she failed a roadside breath test. She later gave a reading of 81mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath when the legal limit is just 35mcg.
Trimble, from Blyth, appeared at South East Northumberland Magistrates' Court in September to plead not guilty to driving with excess alcohol and the case was listed for trial. However, she was back at the same court this week in order to change her plea.
Greg Flaxen, prosecuting, said Trimble was first stopped while over the limit whilst travelling in Blyth in October 2020 and was banned from the roads after being found guilty of driving with excess alcohol six months later in April 2021. She was disqualified for 18 months but completed a drink drivers' rehabilitation course in order to reduce the ban.
However, three months after getting her licence back on August 19 this year, Trimble was caught again, this time driving while drunk on on South Newsham Road, in Blyth. Mr Flaxen said police were contacted by a group of youths about a possible drink driver and they stopped Trimble nearby as she matched the description.
Mr Flaxen added: "This is her third relevant offence. It was initially a not guilty plea. There was not a trial but it was going to be prepared. Her breath reading was 81mcg."
John Brown, defending, said Trimble's friend had gone on holiday at the time and had asked her to keep an eye on her teenage daughter. Mr Brown continued: "The friend lived some miles away. Miss Trimble got a phone call from her daughter complaining about youths causing her difficulty.
"She was very upset and Miss Trimble drove to her to assist. She had a confrontation with those youths and those youths phoned the police to report a drink driver. Miss Trimble was on her return journey when she was stopped by police."
Magistrates decided to adjourn the case for the preparation of a pre-sentence report. Trimble was released on unconditional bail to next appear back before the same court on January 12.
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