The sister of former world champion Joe Calzaghe crashed into a traffic sign while over the drink-drive limit and claims she felt she was being "harassed" by the Welsh boxing legend, a court has heard. Melissa Calzaghe drove at more than three times the alcohol limit after downing a bottle of Bailey's as well as some vodka.
The 46-year-old, of Beech Grove in Oakdale, has addiction issues with alcohol but had been abstinent "for many years". Before the crash she had attended a party with workmates but did not want them to know she did not drink which led her to accept a bottle of Bailey's as a gift, her lawyer Rod Smith told Newport Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.
Mr Smith said: "She had been abstinent for many years but it has been a problem trying to hide it from various people... She took the bottle home. If she had left it at the party it would have been beneficial but she succumbed to temptation and drank it in one go. She then wanted cigarettes and wasn't thinking straight when she went to a shop and purchased vodka. She took a few sips and the accident happened."
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Melissa Calzaghe, who earns around £800 a month as a carer, was tearful for much of the hearing. A probation officer told the court the defendant "feels she has been harassed by her brother and is still under that pressure now".
Prosecutor Hannah Friedman said police were alerted at 4.45pm on May 29 that there had been a crash in Beech Grove. A witness said the defendant had driven a black Hyundai into a traffic sign outside his property and "seemed drunk".
"Police attended the defendant's address and this vehicle was parked on the driveway," Ms Friedman added. "A witness opened the door and said they had come across the accident and seen the defendant in the driver seat with the keys in the ignition and trying to start the car.
"Police then spoke to the defendant. She appeared upset and smelled of alcohol. She was breathalysed and was positive [for alcohol]."
Melissa Calzaghe pleaded guilty to drink-driving after she gave two readings — the lower of which was 107mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg. She has a conviction from 2016 for failing to provide police a specimen of breath.
Her probation officer told the court: "She hadn't consumed alcohol for a long time before that party. She had received the gift from a person at work and returned home where she saw a jumper on her doorstep which reminded her of her mother. She feels the item was placed there by someone else to provoke her. As a result she drank the alcohol and went to buy further alcohol.
"She tells me that two days before she was approached by her ex-partner who was abusive to her while in a relationship. She feels she uses alcohol to shut the world out when she can't cope anymore."
The probation officer also spoke about the impact of Calzaghe losing her parents in recent years as well as a falling-out with her brother Joe, a former world boxing champion. "She feels she has been harassed by her brother and is still under that pressure now," the officer told the court. "She uses alcohol as a coping mechanism on a day to day basis."
The court heard Calzaghe lives with her husband and 14-year-old daughter. She has worked as a carer for 18 months and has been on mental health medication since the 2018 death of her father Enzo, who was an acclaimed trainer at Newbridge Boxing Club.
Mr Smith said: "She had to nurse her mother [Jacqueline] through the final stages of her life and this had quite an effect on her. She has obtained bereavement counselling and has joined Alcoholics Anonymous as well."
District Judge Stephen Harmes replied: "Her father's death was a matter of public record because he was so well known. Her mother's death less so, because she was not a famous person, but she was still her mum."
He said he had read references suggesting the defendant was "thought of very highly in her job", adding: "They're in the care business but it seems they care about their employees as well... The last couple of years have seen us all realise it's much better if we talk about our problems. People have realised now that there's no shame."
The judge told Melissa Calzaghe: "This was a very bad mistake of judgement. The court is sympathetic to your recent history. Because you're working in a care home and on minimum wage I impose only a £200 fine, £85 in prosecution costs, and a £95 victim services surcharge."
Judge Harmes also imposed a three-year driving ban which was the lowest possible due to her 2016 conviction. Calzaghe must also complete a nine-month alcohol treatment programme and 12 rehab activity days. When the judge asked her if this was sensible she nodded and replied: "I think it should continue until I'm ready."
She added that she would "100%" not drive during her ban. The judge asked: "I'm sure you want to be sober don't you?" Calzaghe replied: "I do. A thousand million per cent. Thank you." You can read more court stories here.
