Care worker’s 16-month ban

AN off-duty policeman spotted drink-driver Hemione Pickford weaving across the road in the early hours of the morning, and called out his colleagues. PC Darren Goodwin approached Pickford s car at a junction after seeing her mount the grass verge, and she

AN off-duty policeman spotted drink-driver Hemione Pickford weaving across the road in the early hours of the morning, and called out his colleagues.

PC Darren Goodwin approached Pickford's car at a junction after seeing her mount the grass verge, and she smelled of alcohol.

"He showed her his warrant card and told her not to be frightened," prosecutor Angela Sassoli told Ely magistrates on Thursday.

"The officer had driven behind her, he saw her driving erratically, swaying from one side to another and sometimes mounting the nearside grass verge," she added.

Other officers arrived on the scene, and Pickford - a care worker with the community mental health team - gave a breath test reading almost double the legal alcohol limit.

Pickford, 32, of Twentypence Road, Wilburton, admitted driving when over the alcohol limit on May 8.

"She does accept she was under the influence of alcohol," said solicitor Adam Hazelhurst.

"She simply says it was a lapse of judgement and poor decision making.

"She had been out drinking and decided to drive home."

The 16-month driving ban imposed on Pickford would impede her work, he said, as she normally drove to visit patients.

Pickford was fined £220 and must pay £95 costs and a £15 surcharge.

"This was not a clever move, you should not have done it, and the consequences are serious for you," said presiding magistrate Dr Christine Shaw.