Chesterfield mum drove while banned following beating by violent boyfriend
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Mary Stokes, 33, told magistrates police pulled her over as she drove to a friend’s house as she had “nowhere to go to get fresh underwear or clothes”.
Prosecutor Becky Allsop told magistrates how Stokes was still serving a 22-month driving ban after being caught over the legal alcohol limit when police stopped her on June 12 last year.
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Hide AdShe had also previously been jailed for driving while banned.
Stokes’ solicitor told Chesterfield Magistrates Court how she was in a “violent relationship” at the time of the June 12 offence.
The lawyer described how on one occasion Stokes’ former partner - now serving jail time - had hospitalised her client for two weeks with a broken jaw and a broken eye socket.
Addressing the magistrates Stokes - who has never passed her driving test - told how previous drink driving convictions were a result of her violent boyfriend’s abuse.
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Hide AdShe said: “I know I need to be punished for what I’ve done - I shouldn’t have done it and I’m sorry. I was just in a bad way.”
A magistrate told her: “There’s clearly some evidence of serious violence towards you - your former partner is thankfully in prison.”
Stokes, of Middlecroft Road, admitted driving while banned and without insurance.
She was jailed for 18 weeks suspended for 12 months, given a 12-week curfew and banned from driving for a further two years.
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Hide AdThe 33-year-old was also fined £120 and made to pay £128 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.