The 40-year-old told magistrates she had no intention of driving after a night out with friends
A MOTHER-of four’s night out with friends landed her in court after Cardiff police found her “clearly intoxicated” behind the wheel .
Darna Hickey, of Heathwood Road, Heath, failed to provide a specimen after a police officer found her in a car on Allensbank Road, Cardiff, at 2am on January 28, 2023.
Prosecutor Stephen Head told Cardiff Magistrates Court her unsuccessful attempts to provide a specimen were “probably due to a level of intoxication”.
The 40-year-old had been out with friends and a personal matter “lead to her being quite upset”, said Matthew de Maids, defending.
Hickey had gone to the car because of what had happened when a police officer found her in the driver’s seat, said Mr de Maids.
The police officer thought Hickey was “clearly intoxicated”, said Mr Head.
However, Hickey did not drive and had no intention of driving, Mr de Maids told the court.
“There was no driving here,” he said.
The police officer decided she should be breathalysed but she did not comply, the court heard.
The court was shown footage of a police officer attempting to breathalyse Hickey in the police station.
Mr Head said: “I don’t think it was a deliberate refusal, I think it was an incapable refusal.”
Hickey pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen as someone in charge of a vehicle.
Mr de Maids stressed that Hickey had no previous convictions and needed her driving licence to be able to take a family member for their weekly shop.
“She is mortified that she has put herself in this situation,” said Mr de Maids.
Magistrate Patricia Blackwell said that 10 penalty points on Hickey’s licence was “an appropriate punishment”.
Hickey was also ordered to pay a total of £645, including a £400 fine, £85 prosecution costs and a £160 surcharge.
