Friday, January 16, 2009

Woman motorist banned after police catch her drink-driving... on a 2.4mph mobility scooter

A woman has been given a driving ban after being caught more than twice the legal alcohol limit - while riding a 2.4mph mobility scooter.

Amanda Leaff, 46, said she had taken the buggy from an Asda supermarket to save herself the taxi fare for her trip home.

A court was told yesterday how it would have taken Leaff, of Stretford, Manchester, more than four hours to complete the ten-mile journey, had she not been spotted 'driving erratically' by an off-duty police officer.

Mobility scooter

A drunk woman travelled two-and-a-half miles on a mobility scooter before police stopped her. She was given a 20-month driving ban for being twice the legal limit

Magistrates in Oldham heard she had been drinking for several hours and became abusive when police stopped her at around 10.45pm on November 12.

Her solicitor Stephen Krebbs told the court: 'She managed to get two-and-a-half miles until she was stopped. It was a surprise she got as far as she did.'

He added: 'She planned to return the scooter to her local Asda the following day.'

Leaff admitted taking without consent and driving a mobility scooter while unfit through drink. She was given a 20-month driving ban and £240 fine.

An Asda spokesman said after the hearing: 'The scooters, although very practical and robust, are not really designed for road use.

'They are best suited to flat surfaces as in supermarkets, due to the very low wheelbase. Every scooter missing from our premises is a vehicle fewer for our disabled shoppers to use.'

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