Reading Magistrates' Court: Thatcham woman's suspended sentence for astonishing drink-drive reading

A WOMAN has received a suspended prison sentence for driving after drinking almost five times the legal limit.

The 45-year-old blew the high reading after being caught behind the wheel in Thatcham. To make matters worse, the court heard, it was her second, high-level drink-drive offence.

In the dock at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, June 8, was Nicola Claire Brooks.

The 45-year-old, of Fylingdales, Thatcham – who also goes by the name of Nicola Fishlock, according to the court – admitted driving a Vauxhall Zafira in Coombe Court on December 13 last year after drinking more than the legal limit.

Tests showed 168mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in her system. The legal limit is 35mcg.

Magistrates ordered pre-sentence reports to be prepared on an ‘all options’ basis, including custody.

A previous sentencing hearing was adjourned because Ms Brooks was in hospital.

At the active sentencing hearing, Ms Brooks was sentenced to 20 weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years.

The court ruled that a custodial sentence, albeit suspended, was justified because it was a “second offence with an extremely high reading”.

In addition, she was ordered to pay £85 costs, plus statutory victim services surcharge of £128. She was banned from driving for 60 months.