Consett motorist with two convictions for drink-driving caught flouting ban
by Sara Nichol · ChronicleLiveA brazen motorist with two convictions for drink-driving flouted her ban as she "needed to get to work".
Joanne Appleyard was convicted of driving with excess alcohol in 2022 and 2023 and received the mandatory 36-month disqualification for the latter. However, the 39-year-old mum decided to ignore that ban one morning in July this year and was spotted behind the wheel of an MG by police in Newcastle City Centre, a court heard.
Appleyard, of Deneburn Terrace, in Consett, County Durham, was pulled over and immediately admitted she was uninsured and shouldn't be driving, prosecutors said. She appeared before Newcastle Magistrates' Court in October to plead guilty to driving while disqualified and driving with no insurance and the case was adjourned until this week for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.
Ian Martin, prosecuting, said police were on patrol in Pottery Lane, in Newcastle City Centre, at around 8am on July 25 when their attention was drawn to Appleyard in an MG. Mr Martin added: "They followed the car for a short time and caused it to stop.
"The defendant was the driver. She immediately admitted to the officers that she was disqualified from driving and not insured to drive the vehicle."
The court heard that Appleyard claimed she had decided to drive as someone from work had called in sick and she had "a substantial distance to get to work". Representing herself, Appleyard said: "I'm, obviously, very sorry."
Giving Appleyard a 12-month community order, with 100 hours of unpaid work, chairing magistrate, James Parker, said: "Obviously, you were aware that what you were doing was wrong, which makes the offence worse.
"You put others in danger by going on the road uninsured." Appleyard was also banned from driving for a further 36 months and must pay £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.
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