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06
Feb
Woman who swigged medication with rum whilst driving sentenced in Harrogate
A woman who swigged medication with rum whilst driving appeared at Harrogate Magistrates Court today (February 6).
Jill Wraith pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen for analysis.
Mel Ibbotson, prosecuting, told the court members of the public saw a car driving "erratically" towards Starbeck on January 11, 2025.
The court heard Wraith, who was behind the wheel, would speed up and then brake.
Wraith then stopped at Starbeck level crossing as the barriers were down. Ms Ibbotson said:
A member of the public got out of the car and went over to the defendant’s car. They could smell alcohol on her and they took the keys out of the ignition.
The police were called. She did a roadside breath sample and was arrested.
The court heard the 57-year-old defendant was asked to give two breath samples at Harrogate Police Station but refused.
Ms Ibbotson told the court when police officers asked Wraith if she had a medical reason that exempts her from providing a breath sample, the defendant said: “I don’t know the answer to that question."
Defendant ‘has not had life easy’, court hears
Brian Nuttney, defending, told the court Wraith, of Chirton Dene Keys in North Shields, was remorseful for what she did and fully co-operated with police at the side of the road.
The court heard the defendant “thought she was entitled to legal advice” at the police station.
Wraith requested a solicitor, not realising she was legally obliged to provide a specimen, a probation officer told the court.
Mr Nuttney said Wraith has “not had life easy”, adding:
She has been damaged by two previous relationships. She has been left with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and she has ADHD.
The probation officer told the court Wraith also struggles with anxiety and depression.
The defendant, who is now retired after a career in education, is a skilled sailor who has spent time abroad working as crew on boats.
Mr Nuttney said when the incident happened, Wraith had come to Yorkshire to stay with friends.
The court heard the defendant was driving from York, where she had met one friend, to Harrogate to meet another. Wraith followed her friend on the road towards Harrogate, but she got lost and became disorientated.
Mr Nuttney told the court:
Ms Wraith panicked and took some anxiety pills. The only thing she had to wash them down was a bottle of rum that she was giving to her friends.
The probation officer said Wraith “took swigs of rum to take her medication”, but she told him she had not consumed any alcohol before that.
Mr Nuttney told the court Wraith is a woman of good character, adding:
She has never bothered anyone in 57 years. She does not have a problem with alcohol.
The magistrates sentenced Wraith to a 12-month community order, which requires her to complete 15 rehabilitation activity days and 120 hours of unpaid work.
She was also banned from driving for 29 months, which would be reduced by 29 weeks if she completes a drink-driving course by a certain date.
Wraith was also ordered to pay £199 to the court, including a £114 surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs.
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