Mum banned from driving took daughter to school

Natasha Collins, from Up Holland, received a suspended sentence at Wigan and Leigh Magistrates’ Court after panicking because her child was late for lessons.

Police stopped the Renault Megane on Dearden Way, just yards from Collins’s home, and she immediately admitted she should not have been behind the wheel.

Collins, 27, had been banned from the road for drink-driving for 12 months last October and also given a community order.

Kerry Doyle, defending, said her client realised the incident on March 18 was a serious lapse in judgement and was devastated to be in the dock.

Mrs Doyle said: “She admitted the offence straight away. Her daughter was late for school and she got in the car. She drove a very short distance and admits she is lucky she was stopped because she made a daft decision.

“She understands the costs of her actions and is very ashamed.

“At times she doesn’t think through the consequences of her actions but has issues which have made an impact on her and is now being referred to the mental health services and for counselling.

“She has now qualified as a beauty and make-up artist and is about to set up her own business. She is clawing her way back from a really hard place and just needs some support.”

Magistrates gave Collins an eight-week jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, and disqualified her from driving for two years. She will also continue working with the probation service on an existing community order.

The bench also ordered her to pay £85 in costs and an £85 victim’s surcharge.