In the case of Avril Fay Corbett, who admitted refusing to give a breath specimen, the offence had been compounded because she had driven without a licence and insurance, which she also admitted, and had ‘given the police the run-around,’ said Assistant Magistrate Ian Christmas.
Corbett (38), of St Nicholas Avenue, St Clement, and another woman, who had also been drinking, each told police that the other had been driving on roads in St Clement on 1 December, Centenier Maurice Etienne said.
The accused, who refused to give a second breath specimen because she said she suffered from asthma, later admitted that she had been at the wheel after having had six shots of vodka.
Advocate Catriona Fogarty, defending, said that Corbett, who was also fined £50 for not having a licence, had made a wrong decision in offering to drive home an upset friend.
The only thing she had hit during the journey was her own parked car, and she was now ’embarrassed and ashamed’.
Matthew Adam Thérin (32), of du Parcq Court, Bagatelle Road, St Saviour, who admitted driving while unfit in Gloucester Street on 1 December, showed a very high reading when examined, said the Assistant Magistrate.
The accused, who blamed a drink problem that had been getting out of hand, told the court that he was worried about the effect a ban would have on his business, but Mr Christmas said that a three-year disqualification was inevitable.
In both cases, the defendants were told they could not apply for their licence back any earlier unless there were exceptional circumstances.
