Peterborough woman in King’s Lynn court for drink-driving in Marshland St James with children in the car

A good Samaritan had to call the police after a child asking for their help led them to their mother who was struggling to breathe - but had been drink-driving.

That driver was Claire Allen, 49, who appeared at Lynn Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, where she admitted to driving above the specified alcohol limit.

Prosecutor Jodin Gherra said that on April 11 at 11.45am, a member of the public was driving down School Road in Marshland St James when they saw a young child on the side of the road.

The member of the public pulled over and the child said to them: “Can you help, my mum can’t breathe”.

The child took the person back to the car where they found Allen.

The member of the public spotted half a bottle of wine in the back seat of the car and decided to call the police.

Officers tried to conduct a roadside breath test but were unable to due to Allen’s health at the time.

Instead, she was taken into police custody and a blood test was carried out which came back with a reading of 250mcg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. The legal limit to drive is 80mcg.

Ms Gherra said: “She was obstructive when police were trying to arrest her. She was swearing at the police.”

In mitigation, Andrew Cogan explained that Allen was suffering from a severe chest infection at the time.

“She had a significant amount of alcohol the night before,” said Mr Cogan.

“She was concerned for her children that were in the car with her.”

The solicitor added: “She takes full responsibility and is grateful that her and her children are safe and nobody was hurt.

“She had taken to drink as a crutch to cope.”

The court heard that since the incident, Allen has stopped drinking and has sought help from mental health professionals.

Allen, of Orton Southgate in Peterborough, was disqualified from driving for 28 months and fined £200. She will also pay a victim surcharge of £80 and court costs of £45.

Magistrate William Hush said: “What concerns us considerably is that you had young children in the car.”