Driver ‘four times over limit’ had child in back seat of car

A DRUNK driver found to be four times over the limit had child in back seat of car when she was arrested in Omagh, a court has heard.

Sandra Anne Heatherington (50), of Irvinestown Road, is charged with drink driving, driving whilst disqualified, failing to provide a specimen of breath, driving without insurance on March 6, 2024, along with a separate drink-driving offence from November 2022.

Omagh Magistrates Court heard that the earlier offending occurred on November 10, 2022, when a police patrol on Donaghanie Road in Omagh observed a blue Peugeot car driving towards Omagh Hospital.

Within seconds of spotting the car, the officers noticed the car was driving on the right-hand side of the road and hit a kerb.

The police activated their lights and pursued the car, with the driver making two full turns on the roundabout before coming to a stop.

Police spoke to the driver, who was identified as the defendant, and upon inspection, observed a child in the back seat of the car.

Heatherington was then subjected to a breathalyser test, which she failed with a reading of 150 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of breath, more than four times over the legal limit.

The defendant was brought before Omagh Magistrates Court, however by September 5, 2023, she had failed to appear, resulting in a bench warrant being issued.

Then on March 6 of this year, a report came to the police of a suspected drunk driver on the Hospital Road at 11.30pm.

The police arrived to the vicinity and located the defendant at the window of a property, where she was subjected to a roadside breathalyser test and failed.

Upon Heatherington’s arrest, the police discovered that she had been driving while disqualified and without a licence.

The defendant was then brought to the custody suite and asked to provide an evidential sample of breath, which she did not comply with, resulting in her arrest for failing to provide a specimen when asked.

Defence solicitor Michael Fahy noted that the defendant had a limited record, however two entries were limited.

Mr Fahy added that the November 2022 incident was ‘inherently more serious’ because of the child being in the car.

In reference to this incident, Mr Fahy noted that District Judge Bernie Kelly had offered an alternative sentence of probation, however by September 5, Heatherington ceased to comply with the court, resulting in a bench warrant being issued.

“The intention of Judge Kelly was to indicate willingness for help, so that (the defendant) wouldn’t have to face a custodial sentence,” said Mr Fahy.

At last Tuesday’s hearing, Deputy District Judge Peter Prenter observed that Heatherington would benefit from working with probation.

Judge Prenter said to the defendant she ‘needs as much (professional) help’ in order to battle her alcohol problems. He disqualified Heatherington from driving for three years and imposed a two-year probation order.