Drink-driver in wall crash

High Peak Magistrates’ Court recently heard how Zoe Hutchinson failed to negotiate a left-hand bend on the B6049 near Miller’s Dale during an evening and her Mini car then collided with a wall.

A blood sample was taken from Hutchinson, according to the court, while she was receiving treatment for her injuries at Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital following the crash.

Prosecuting solicitor John Cooper said the sample gave a reading that exceeded the legal, alcohol drink-driving limit.

Hutchinson, 20, of The Ditch, admitted exceeding the alcohol drink-drive limit after the incident on the evening of November 11, 2013.

Annis Rowlands, defending, said: “When spoken to by police officers she said she had consumed three pints.

“She said that was at lunchtime but because she works at a local dairy, lunch time can often be three or four ‘o’clock.”

Mrs Rowlands added that Hutchinson’s mother is suffering from cancer and needed regular treatment at The Christie Hospital, in Manchester - therefore the loss of Hutchinson’s licence would cause some difficulties for the regular trips of getting to and from the hospital.

Magistrates fined Hutchinson £232 and ordered her to pay a £23 surcharge and £85 costs.

She was also disqualified from driving for a total of 14 months.