Reading Magistrates’ Court: Woolhampton woman arrested for drink-driving – after becoming a nuisance at scene of Bucklebury traffic collision

A WOMAN was charged with drink-driving after she became a nuisance at a traffic accident.

Reading magistrates heard police became suspicious of her behaviour at the scene and, upon investigating, found alcohol bottles in her vehicle.

In the dock at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, August 29, was Sarah Tong.

Jennifer Mitchell, prosecuting, said ambulance crews and police officers were at the scene of a traffic collision in Scotland Corner, Buckebury, when the 52-year-old, of Hatch Lane, Woolhampton, intervened.

She added: “Ms Tong was apparently trying to help but she’s become somewhat in the way, offering to drive the [accident victim] home and claiming to be a neighbour.

“Police saw alcohol in the car and smelled it on her breath.

“She then failed a roadside breath test.”

Ms Tong admitted driving a Landrover Discovery on Wednesday, August 9, after drinking more than the legal limit.

Tests showed 64mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in her system – almost twice the legal limit of 35mcg.

David Anderson, defending, said his client was of previous good character, with no prior convictions.

He added: “She was trying to help clear debris from a road traffic collision, unrelated to her.

“Ms Tong was also trying to assist an elderly lady and, unfortunately, by trying to help has found herself in this situation.”

Mr Anderson, said Ms Tong, a mother of two, was a house sitter and dog sitter and that day had had an emergency call from a client.

He added: “She had had a few drinks and, stupidly, decided to drive, then came across this accident.

“Where she lives is quite isolated, so a driving ban isn’t an ideal situation for her.

“”She might be able to cycle to some jobs but will lose her employment as a result.

“But it will be a massive issue because she usually drives one child to school.”

After retiring to confer, magistrates fined Ms Tong £120.

In addition, they ordered her to pay £85 costs, plus a statutory victim services surcharge of £48.

Finally, Ms Tong was banned from driving for 18 months.