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Nurse Drove Seven Miles In Wrong Direction On Motorway After Downing Wine

Nurse Drove Seven Miles In Wrong Direction On Motorway After Downing Wine

She necked two large glasses and drove past three junctions before performing a U-turn

Jake Massey

Jake Massey

A nurse has been handed a driving ban after she downed two large glasses of wine and drove in the wrong direction on a motorway for seven miles.

Emma Marshall-Davies, from Ebbw Vale, South Wales, downed two large glasses of wine after work before getting behind the wheel of her VW Polo.

She then proceeded to drive down the fast lane of the M4 motorway, passing three junctions before performing a U-turn on the carriageway on 6 April.

The 43-year-old was arrested by police on the A467 in Newport after being spotted at 7.55pm.

Prosecutor Rob Simpkins said: "This was a prolonged piece of bad driving with deliberate disregard for the safety of others. It was aggravated by the fact that she was drunk at the wheel.

"The defendant had driven on the slip road the wrong way and other drivers flashed their headlights at her. She drove past three junctions before she performed a U-turn.

"She was the only person inside the car and she was smelling of drink and her words were slurred.

"When she was interviewed, she told police she was a nurse who helped adults with mental health problems. She said she was separated from her husband and cares for her mother.

"She told them she had drank two glasses of wine and decided to drive because she wanted to leave her house."

The mental health nurse was breathalysed and had 53 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath; the legal limit is 35.

Darren Bishop, defending, said: "This wasn't a case where she was suicidal or wanted to harm herself.

"She drank through stress and on an empty stomach. This is a lady of previous clean character."

She pleaded guilty and was handed a 12-month community order and banned from driving for one year at Cardiff Crown Court. She must also sit an extended re-test and carry out a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

In addition, she was fined £500 ($621) and ordered to pay £420 ($522) costs and a victim surcharge.

Judge Shomon Khan said: "This is a most serious offence. The factors are alcohol, the location and being on the wrong side of the road - this could have led to fatalities."

Featured Image Credit: Wales News Service

Topics: UK News, crime, Car