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Woman four times over limit crashes into ditch - court





Natalie Hazel Fraser was told to expect a custodial sentence on Thursday, February 6, after writing off her friend’s motor.
In an unusual turnabout, Mike Davis defending the 25-year-old, opened the proceedings by handing magistrates a list of her previous convictions and conceding they would be bound to consider jailing her.
He said: “She took a car belonging to her friend without permission, drove it and crashed it on a roundabout on the A4. The vehicle ended up in a ditch and, although it suffered only moderate damage, water in the ditch filled it.”
Handing photographs of the accident scene on the London Road at Newbury to magistrates, Mr Davis added: “Because of the water filling it, it was beyond repair. A security guard who was nearby called police.”
He went on to concede: “I acknowledge that the alcohol reading is well over the limit at which the court will consider custody, and then there are the aggravating features of the taking without consent and the lack of insurance.”
The court heard that tests showed 134 mcg of alcohol per 100 ml of breath in Ms Fraser’s system - nearly four times the legal limit of 35 mcg.
Ms Fraser, of Bath Road, Calcot, admitted taking a Peugot 206 without consent; driving after drinking more than the legal limit; driving without insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, all on the London Road at Newbury on January 11 this year.
Mr Davis asked for sentencing to be adjourned for reports to be prepared on his client and Claire French, prosecuting, did not object.
She added: “I will be asking for compensation of £300, which represents the shortfall on the aggrieved’s insurance.”
The bench acceded to Mr Davis’ request but presiding magistrate Brenda Harding said: “We’re asking for whoever prepares the reports to do so on the basis that custody is considered. We will also be making a compensation order because the car was written off.”
Ms Fraser will be sentenced on February 28 and was released on unconditional bail meanwhile.
Magistrates imposed an interim six month driving ban.



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