A woman from Glen Maye has been fined and banned from driving after she crashed her car into a field and left the scene.
Nichola Jane Prince, of The Lhargan, then initially refused to admit she had driven the car when police interviewed her.
The 49-year-old admitted offences of careless driving, failing to provide information on a driver, having no vehicle licence, and a licence offence.
She was fined £700 and banned from driving for three months.
Prosecutor James Robinson told the court how police were called to Dalby on August 6 at 5.30pm after a report of a Peugeot having crashed into a field.
Officers found the car about 10 feet down the field resting against a piece of tree which had stopped it from rolling further down.
It was registered to Prince but the tax had expired on April 30 this year and her licence in July 2018.
While police were at the scene Prince’s father arrived and said he had taken his daughter home.
When they went to her house Prince was said to have appeared intoxicated but told police she had drunk wine after arriving home.
A back calculation was done and found that she would not have been over the drink-drive limit at the time of driving.
Careless
When interviewed Prince gave ’no comment’ responses to questions and would not confirm that she had been driving the car or complete a form saying so.
Defence advocate Deborah Myerscough handed in references on behalf of her client and said that Prince suffered from mental health issues.
The advocate said that Prince had had a driving licence since 1996.
’This is the first time she has ever appeared in court,’ said Ms Myerscough
’She is extremely embarrassed and has asked me to put forward her apologies.
She has booked herself in for some driving refresher lessons. She has never experienced court before and had a night in custody which was very stressful.’
High Bailiff Jayne Hughes was critical of Prince for not telling the police in interview that she was the driver or completing the appropriate form.
’There is no evidence given of your mental health and whether that prevents you telling the truth,’ she said.
’The offence is made more serious because the vehicle shouldn’t have been on the road and neither should you because of your licence.’
Prince was fined £250 for each of offence of careless driving and failing to give driver information, and £100 for both the licence offence and having no vehicle licence.
She must also pay £125 prosecution costs.