Kristina Wimble, of Croome Close in Redhouse, pleaded guilty to driving a Mitsubishi Outlander along Redhouse Way without third-party insurance and while over the alcohol limit on February 12, 2024, and to failing to stop after an accident on the same date.
At Swindon Magistrates’ Court, the 34-year-old healthcare worker received fines of £400 altogether, a 24-month driving ban, and a community order that requires her to carry out up to 10 rehabilitation activity days, as well as pay £85 in court costs plus £114 to fund victim services.
Keith Ballinger, prosecuting, said: “Officers were called just before 11pm after a Vauxhall Corsa was damaged to its passenger wheel arch and rear driver’s side.
“The car was pushed into a lamppost and another parked car was damaged.
“An SUV-type vehicle was seen driving away from the scene.
“Officers then found the vehicle abandoned in the middle of the road. They found a phone inside the car and traced it to an address which was a five-minute walk away.
“They went there and found the defendant, who was drunk. She told them she began drinking wine at 6pm and decided to go to the shops.
“She does not recall the crash but after it happened, she drove down the street and left the vehicle.”
Her breathalyser recorded a result of 96 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – nearly three times the legal limit of 35 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.
Gordon Hotson, defending, added that Wimble had consumed nearly a full bottle of wine after not eating earlier in the day, then drove a car that was registered as SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification), which means it was not taxed or insured.
He added: “She’s utterly devastated and disappointed by what she has done.
“She has let herself and her family down. She made a huge mistake and a foolish decision.
“She hit a parked car and panicked. She is not using alcohol as a coping mechanism and will soon start counselling.”
Wimble was considered to be of previous good character because, before these three offences, she had no previous convictions.
