Woman admits drink-driving - to stop her friend getting behind the wheel while intoxicated

Emma Louise Partlow, 35, of Billingham, admitted driving with excess alcohol and without insurance when she appeared before Teesside Magistrates’ Court.

The incident happened at around 10.40pm on October 17 this year after Partlow had been out for the evening with colleagues from the GP surgery where she is a practice manager.

Lynne Dalton, prosecuting, said the mum-of-one was spotted by a witness who was in a nearby car colliding with a road sign while driving a Fiat Tipo.

She said: “The witness followed the car a short distance. The defendant stopped the vehicle and attempted to leave the scene. Officers arrived and she was detained.”

After being tested it was found that Partlow had 107mg of alcohol in 100ml breath, with the limit being 35, and she wasn’t insured to be driving the Tipo which belonged to her friend.

Mrs Dalton said: “She told the police in an interview afterwards that she had drunk over five glasses of wine.”

The defendant said she wanted to stop her friend driving home to Stokesley after drinking, so she invited her to stay at her house, which was close to the pub, and decided she would drive the car there.

Mrs Dalton, said: “This lady lost her good character when she pleaded guilty to this.”

A spokesman for the probation service said Partlow took full responsibility for her behaviour and recognised the potential danger she had caused.

He said she was concerned for her friend, believing she was more intoxicated than her, and didn’t want her to drive home.

The probation officer, said: “She decided to drive the car to her house, which was just around the corner.

“She cannot believe the choices she made that evening.

“She does state that alcohol has never been an issue in the past or affected her decision making.”

Partlow was placed on a 12-week curfew and banned from driving for 20 months. She was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £90 surcharge.