Woman admits driving while three times over the limit

Sunday 23 January 2022

A woman is facing prison after pleading guilty to driving while nearly three times over the legal limit in the early hours of the morning, damaging several parked cars around Snow Hill in the process.

Joanna Pinto (47) appeared in the Magistrate's Court on Thursday, admitting to drink-driving after being found with 239mg of alcohol in 100ml of her blood.

Legal Adviser Sophie Lister said the level was so high - nearly three times the limit of 80mg per 100ml of blood - that it meant Pinto could be given a prison sentence.

She told Court that at around 02:44 on 28 November 2021, an ambulance crew near Snow Hill car park saw Pinto drive a car, “scraping” cars that were parked parallel to the side of the road. The paramedics said they heard the “distinctive noise of scraping metal” as well as a loud bang.

When they walked over to Pinto’s car, she asked them for advice on what to do next and they saw she was intoxicated.

When police arrived, Pinto said she had drunk two and a half glasses of wine that evening. She failed a breath test and she was arrested at 02:50. She then provided a blood sample at the police station.

Represented by Advocate Kate Ferbrache, Pinto pleaded guilty to the offence.

Assistant Magistrate Peter Harris heard she has no previous convictions.

A presentencing report has been ordered and Pinto will be sentenced on 25 February.

She has been disqualified from driving in the meantime.