Isle of Wight woman in court after falling asleep in car

Ryde Esplanade and the Isle of Wight Magistrates' court. <i>(Image: Isle of Wight County Press)</i>
Ryde Esplanade and the Isle of Wight Magistrates' court. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press)
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Falling asleep in her parked car with the keys in the ignition, following a night out drinking in Ryde, landed an Isle of Wight woman in court.

Appearing before Isle of Wight Magistrates on Tuesday, July 18, Emma Early, of Parkhurst Road, Newport, avoided losing her licence.

She pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen as a person in charge of a vehicle.

Ann Smout, prosecuting, said the 40-year-old was drinking at the King Lud on Ryde Esplanade on July 1. She was with her mum, whose house she planned to stay at that night.

She had a couple of glasses of wine, the court heard, before being sick and leaving the pub.

Early realised she had forgot her bag with her sleeping stuff inside, and so went to her vehicle, parked on the Esplanade.

The court heard how she felt "queasy", sat in the car and turned the air conditioning on.

At around midnight, police on patrol noticed Early asleep with the keys in the ignition.

After waking her up, she gave a breath sample of 57 microgrammes. The legal limit is 35. 

Barry Arnett, defending, said she was taken to Newport Police Station but, before arriving, Early, who had never been arrested before, became "more and more anxious".

She tried to give a further specimen but started to have panic attacks.

"She is effectively timed out", Mr Arnett said.

"It was not a deliberate refusal to provide."

Early was ordered to pay costs, totalling £197.

She was given ten points on her licence.

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