Drunk driver ‘ripped’ off police officer’s face mask

A GORTIN woman, who was arrested for drink-driving, pulled a mask off a police officer during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Jodie Linke (41) of Church Meadows received a three month jail term, suspended for two years, and was disqualified from driving for 18 months when she appeared before Omagh Magistrates Court.

She admitted charges of driving while over the alcohol limit and assault of a police officer.

Linke was stopped by police on the Kildrum Road, Dromore, on the afternoon of January 16 last year. Officers noticed empty alcohol cans in the vehicle. The court was told Linke grabbed the door handle of the police car, and officers believed she was attempting to ‘escape’. They applied handcuffs and she put her feet under the door to stop it being closed. She then pulled the mask off a police constable. She gave a ‘no comment’ interview to police.

Defence solicitor, Patrick Roche, said Linke was having an emotional breakdown on the day, and had phoned a friend to collect her. He added, “She was having difficulties at the time. She has pleaded guilty, and has no intention of driving.”

District Judge Bernie Kelly noted that it was 2.45pm in the afternoon when Linke was detected.

Judge Kelly said, “She blew 133 micrograms of an alcohol reading at quarter to three in the afternoon, and also in the middle of a pandemic, when people were doing their best to protect themselves from Covid-19. She decided this police officer should not protect himself, and ripped his mask off. She doesn’t know the officer’s health, or that of any of his family members, but she didn’t care about that. It was an horrendous alcohol reading; one of the highest I’ve seen.”

Imposing the suspended jail sentence and driving disqualification, the judge warned Linke, “Your next appearance in court for anything similar will get you an immediate custodial sentence.”