A DRUNKEN Dales woman who took and crashed a friend’s car while the owner was in a shop claimed it was a prank.
Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard, last week, how mother-of-three Eleanor Ward, who had no driving experience, took her friend’s Nissan Micra, lost control on Dale Road North, Darley Dale, and crashed into a wall.
Lynn Manning, prosecuting, said: “An officer heard a voice. A female was crawling across a field. He went to her and she rolled on to her back. She was heavily intoxicated and she said, ‘I’ve nicked it’.”
Ward, 36, was recorded as more than twice the legal drink-drive limit after a test, according to the court.
Mrs Manning added: “She said she got into the driver’s seat as a practical joke and intended to come back, but she wasn’t confident in turning the car around. She carried on driving along the A6 and lost control.”
Ward, of Yew Tree Close, Darley Dale, admitted committing the offences about 12.40am, on September 14, and pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle-taking, drink-driving and driving without insurance and a licence.
She was given a four week curfew, a nine-month probation supervision order and a 20-month driving ban and ordered to pay £300 compensation.
Felicity Clarke, defending, said she had been drinking at home and took the vehicle as a joke and she had no driving experience.
Ms Clarke said Ward had used alcohol to resolve problems in her life and she has since sought counselling and not had a drink for two months.