South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court

A MOTORIST who crashed into a lamppost while committing her second drink-drive related offence is beginning a three-year driving ban today.

Anna Sunaway, of Sutton Close, Woodbridge, was unable to provide a breath specimen on May 17, only 15 months after receiving a one-year ban for crashing into another vehicle while drink-driving.

The 44-year-old pleaded guilty to failing to provide a breath specimen when she appeared before South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court.

The offence occurred when Sunaway was driving a white Fiat at around 7pm in Top Street, Martlesham.

Prosecutor Godfried Duahsaid another driver saw Sunaway’s vehicle weaving from side to side. As he followed the Fiat he saw it collide with a lamppost.

The witness spoke to Sunaway, whose speech was slurred.

When police arrived Sunaway appeared unsteady on her feet and smelled of alcohol. She denied she had been drinking.

A roadside breath test indicated she had 124 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 mcgs.

After being taken to the police investigation centre Sunaway was unable to provide two breath specimens for the intoximeter and was charged with failing to provide a specimen.

The court was told Sunaway was previously convicted on February 22, 2011, of drink driving in September 2010.

A probation officer who compiled a report, said the 44-year-old realised she could have hurt somebody.

Sunaway had said her reading for her drink-drive conviction last year was 84 or 85 mcgs, which is more than twice the legal alcohol limit.

The court was told Sunaway suffered from emotional health issues.

In addition to her ban, Sunaway was given a 12-month community order with supervision, and ordered to pay £85 costs.