M4 hit and run drink driver banned

Wiltshire Police On the left, a close-up of a breath test machine, showing a fail. On the right, close-up of the front of a Peugeot hatchback car which has the front smashed.Wiltshire Police
Bradshaw's failed breathalyser test and the damage to the front of her car

A drink driver who failed to stop after hitting a lorry on the M4 has been disqualified from driving.

Helen Bradshaw, 40, of School Road, Crynant, Wales, was sentenced at Swindon Magistrates' Court on Monday after the incident at Junction 16 on 4 February.

She was given a 20 month driving ban, a 12-month community order and will pay £299 to the court.

Police found Bradshaw had come off the motorway by following a trail of skid marks and debris.

Wiltshire Police officers discovered her revving loudly, moving back and forth in a layby at around 10:30 GMT.

Bradshaw initially told them she was not driving the vehicle at the time of the crash, but later admitted she was behind the wheel.

A roadside breath test showed she was triple the legal alcohol limit and was arrested on suspicion of drink driving.

Bradshaw previously pleaded guilty to this offence, in addition to driving without third party insurance.

Roads policing Sgt Will Ayres said: "Bradshaw destroyed the front end of her car in a collision which could have ended far worse.

"Drink driving is one of the fatal five offences, all of which increase the risk of you being involved in a serious or fatal collision."

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