Mum banned for drunken smash

Joan Crompton, 41, of Dearden Way, Up Holland, pleaded guilty at Wigan Magistrates Court to driving under the influence and failure to stop after a road accident.

The court heard how on March 20, Crompton had bought two bottles of wine, drinking one of the bottles before realising that it was time to collect her son from school.

Prosecutor Steve Woodman told magistrates: “She got a neighbour of hers to take her to school. When she got home she drank some more wine. She thought she had forgotten to do the school run. She got back in the car and drove back towards the high school.”

On the way, a family travelling on Alma Hill in Up Holland, saw Crompton driving towards them in her Renault Clio on the wrong side of the road.

As the car got closer the driver of the other car said Crompton “showed no signs of slowing down” until at the last minute the car swerved, colliding with the front bumper. The court was told that the victim went over to the car to confront Cromton, who had a “cigarette in her mouth”. He smelled alcohol on her breath and as he leaned in to take the keys, she drove off.

Police arrived shortly after when the victim called with Crompton’s registration number and she blew more than twice the legal limit of alcohol once taken to the station. Defence solicitor Ged Fraser explained to magistrates: “At this particular moment in time, she has a number of significant problems. Her partner tells me that she has a long-standing history of depression.

“She had actually left a suicide note at the home address suggesting she was going to kill herself that day.”

Justices also heard how Crompton has been off sick from work due to a recent viral infection and how she has recently started to take anti-depressants.

After hearing the evidence, Mr David Harrison, chair magistrate, said: “I am rather disturbed by some of the things we have heard today. You are disqualified for 22 months. Under no circumstances get behind the wheel of a car.”

Crompton was also handed a £415 fine for drink driving which with court costs brought the total to £541.50.