Mansfield mum drove when drunk after her son received death threats

A Mansfield mum was more than three times over the drink-drive limit when she “panicked” and drove because her teenage son received death threats, a court heard.
By Tim Cunningham
Published 18th Jul 2023, 16:37 BST
Updated 18th Jul 2023, 16:37 BST
Mansfield Magistrates Court.Mansfield Magistrates Court.
Mansfield Magistrates Court.

Police interviewed Kelly Knight at her home after receiving a tip-off she had driven her Nissan Note, on Fairfield Drive, on June 26, at about 7pm, Mansfield Magistrates’ Court was told.

Daniel Pietryka, prosecuting, said that a breath test revealed she had 115 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, when the legal limit is 35mcg.

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She told police she had been at home and drank two drinks before she panicked.

Knight, aged 44, of Park Avenue, admitted drink-driving.

Anna Sood, mitigating, said on that evening her disabled son received death threats from his peers and she got into a panic.

She said: “She doesn't seek to shy away from what happened.”

The court heard she was “anxious and scared” and “the emotional impact of the bullying contributed to her decision to drive”.

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Knight was given a 12-month community order with 20 rehabilitation days and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £114 surcharge.

She was banned from driving for 26 months, although a rehabilitation course will reduce the ban by 25 per cent if she completes it by January 1, 2025.