A Pembroke Dock woman who failed to provide a specimen for analysis when suspected of drink-driving has been handed a 17 month motoring ban after admitting the offence this week.
Thirty-nine-year-old Heidi Gibby, of Hamilton Close, Pennar, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday, to admit the charge following the incident which occurred on January 19.
Prosecutor Dennis Davies told the court that a call was made to police from a member of the public after they had seen Mrs. Gibby leaving Pembroke Dock Quins rugby club at around 11.30 pm.
“The door staff at the premises had seen the defendant reversing from a parking space in her red Seat Leon car and moved off without any lights on.
“After receiving the information, police officers arrived at Mrs. Gibby’s house nearly an hour later, and arrested her after she failed to provide a specimen. Once at the police station, she simply refused again,” added Mr. Davies.
Defence solicitor Katy Hanson told the court that her client had never been in any trouble before with police.
“She is extremely sorry to be before the court and is very emotional about it.
“Mrs. Gibby can’t explain why she behaved like she did on that evening. She has experienced difficulties in the past nine months, including the loss of her father, which means she may have been drinking more than she would normally have done just recently.
“She has been referred to the mental health team to deal with her particular issues,” she continued.
Probation officer Julie Norman told magistrates that Mrs. Gibby explained that she had been drinking on this particular day and ‘foolishly’ decided to drive.
“She regrets not blowing into the breathalyser,” she added.
Magistrates handed the defendant a 12 month community order to include 80 hours of unpaid work.
Mrs. Gibby was disqualified from driving for 17 months, and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £85 and a £90 victim surcharge.