A mum-of-three has been banned from the roads for drink driving — after telling cops she was too ‘embarrassed’ to give a roadside breath sample.
Melissa McLoughlin, 32, was stopped by officers in Wilmslow last November when she was driving on a road with no entry signs.
Upon stopping the mum, of Adelaide Road, Edgeley, more checks on her Fiat Punto found that she did not have the right insurance or licence to be driving alone.
Today, McLoughlin was banned from driving for 18 months at Stockport Magistrates’ Court.
“In the small hours of November 20, 2021, an officer was parked on Alderley Road [in Wilmslow] when he saw the Fiat Punto,” prosecutor Nick Smart told the court.
“This was seen driving on Alderley Road, contravening no entry signs.
“He stopped the vehicle, and it seemed that the officer asked questions about drinking and decided a roadside test was to be undergone.
“After three requests, she was arrested for failing to provide [a sample].
“Other roadside checks were carried out and it was discovered she had a provisional licence and no valid insurance to drive.”
When officers took McLoughlin to the police station, she blew a reading of 64 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of breath — nearly double the legal limit of 35.
Representing McLoughlin was duty solicitor Ms Wilson, who told the Magistrate her client had been ‘embarrassed’ at the roadside.
“She explained why she did not give a breathalyser, that was she felt embarrassed doing it on the street and asked to go to the station and do it there,” the defence said.
“She is a lady of good character and comes to court without being spoken to by the police [before]. She is devastated today.
“She has just qualified for an aesthetics course under a specific label.
“This will stop her from getting her own business as she will have to travel to and from different clinics. It is interrupting her lifestyle.”
Ms Wilson added that at the time, McLoughlin was on a ‘fast track’ driving course and was ‘due to take her test in the next four weeks.’
McLoughlin admitted to drink driving, driving without insurance, and driving without the correct licence.
She was banned from the roads for 18 months by Magistrate Marilyn Gibson.
“We are disqualifying [you] for 18 months but we are prepared to give you the opportunity to have the rehabilitation course.
“We have given you credit for the early guilty plea and your previous good character.
“For driving a motor vehicle when the alcohol is above the limit, you will be fined £120.
“For driving with no insurance, you will be fined £80. Your licence will be endorsed where required.”
McLoughlin must also pay £85 in costs and a £34 surcharge, taking her financial penalty to £319.
Speaking to the Magistrate on hearing her fate, she said: “I will take my punishment.”
