NRI
woman convicted for drunk driving in UK
LONDON:
An Indian-origin woman convicted for drunk driving
has been banned from driving for four years and
ordered to sell her car to pay the court's costs
in Leicester, east Midlands.During a court
hearing, city magistrates were told that Baljinder
Shergill's alcohol abuse problem was so severe
that she regularly had to spend time in hospital
because of vitamin deficiencies caused by her
excessive drinking.
Baljinder, 40, pleaded guilty
to driving after drinking excess alcohol on January
8. A breath test showed she had 93 micrograms
of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal
limit is 35.
Baljinder was also given
an 18-month supervised community order, including
an alcohol management course, and ordered to pay
70 pounds in costs.
As she lives on income support
and disability living allowance, the magistrates
told her to sell the car so she could pay the
costs within 28 days.
She was warned that if she
came to court again on a similar charge, she risked
being sent to prison.
Caroline Jerman, lawyer for
Baljinder, said she was a victim of domestic violence
whose fears for her safety had increased with
the recent release of her ex-partner from prison.
