Drink-drive travelled to Walpole Highway to collect children while drunk

A mother drove to pick up her children from a family member’s house having been drinking beforehand.

Kay Duggan, 31, appeared at King’s Lynn Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, where she pleaded guilty to driving while above the specified alcohol limit.

The incident happened on December 29 on Mill Lane in Walpole Highway after Duggan had driven to a family member’s house to collect her children.

Prosecutor Nicola Lamb said that before driving, Duggan had finished a bottle of cider.

On arrival, the family member deemed her to be drunk and took the car keys away from her. Duggan then became agitated.

The police were called, who noted that she was unsteady on her feet, and could smell alcohol on her breath.

A breath test was carried out which came back with a reading of 68mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit to drive is 35mcg.

Duggan appeared unrepresented in court and said: “I shouldn’t have done it. I wasn’t in the right state of mind.

“I had a row with my boyfriend and had a drink and thought my kids were gone and wanted to get them.”

Duggan, of Poppy Close in Newton-in-the-Isle – near Wisbech – was disqualified from driving for 18 months and was fined £120.

She will also pay a victim surcharge of £48 and court costs of £105.