Drug-driver Shanice Medford caused injury to three-year-old in Calcot traffic collision

A DRUG-driver knocked down a three-year-old child.

But the motorist is seeking to avoid or lessen the usual, mandatory driving ban, claiming there were special reasons for her actions.

Specifically, Shanice Medford will argue that she should keep her driving licence, or have a reduced ban, because she was responding to an emergency at the time.

On Wednesday, March 27, 32-year-old Ms Medford, of Garston Crescent, Calcot, appeared in the dock at Reading Magistrates’ Court.

Elona Panxha, prosecuting, said: “This is a matter of drug-driving.

“Late in the evening, police officers were made aware of a road traffic collision in the Calcot area.

“The driver had collided with a child pedestrian and an injury was caused.”

Ms Medford failed a roadside saliva test for cannabis and a blood test subsequently showed the amount of the Class B-controlled drug in her system exceeded the specified limit for driving.

She admitted drug-driving in a Land Rover Range Rover Evoque on Royal Avenue, Calcot, on September 13 last year.

Ms Panxha added: “I understand there will be a ‘special reasons’ argument; however that doesn’t amount, in law, to a defence to the charge.”

She said that, while Ms Medford was entitled to make her case, the bar for claiming ‘special reasons’ mitigation in law was extremely high.

Mason Waker, defending, told magistrates that an investigating officer had concluded that the collision had not been a result his client’s driving or any impairment due to prior drug consumption.

He said: “No one would have been able to avoid the collision; the child had stepped out into the road.”

Mr Mason confirmed he would seek a ‘special reasons’ hearing and told magistrates: “Ms Medford’s grandmother was severely unwell and she had to rush to her.

“We’re trying to attain her police interview because she gave that account to police.”

Magistrates adjourned sentencing until a ‘special reasons’ hearing could be scheduled.

Ms Medford was meanwhile released on unconditional bail.