A drunk mother was found unconscious at the wheel of her car with her two young children awake in the back seat, the Blenheim District Court was told yesterday.
Judge Noel Walsh said the fact police found Alicia Marie Cowper, 26, before she was able to drive was a miracle.
Cowper pleaded guilty to leaving children under 14 without supervision and was fined $300. Judge Walsh also gave her a 12 month suspended sentence.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Steve Frost said Cowper, whose children were aged 6 and 3, was drinking at her home in Blenheim about 8.30pm on November 5 last year before driving to a party on Lansdowne St with the children.
Cowper and others at the party checked on the children several times during the night, Mr Frost said.
Police were called about 1.30am after a fight broke out at the house and police found Cowper "grossly intoxicated" and unconscious in the driver's seat with her seatbelt on, he said. Both children were in the back and wide awake.
Judge Walsh said Cowper "clearly had a problem with booze" and it was a miracle police stopped her from driving.
The charge was fineable only, but he recommended Cowper take a parenting course.
- The Marlborough Express
No comments:
Post a Comment