Drunk driver disqualified after hitting parked cars

Monday 19 August 2019

A 56-year-old driver, who hit two parked cars as she was leaving her home, whilst almost double the legal limit, has been fined £2,000 and handed a 16-month driving ban.

Maria Joao Ventura Da Cunha Sa, who was sentenced in the Magistrate's Court on Friday, was found with 153 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

The Court heard that, around 17:25 on 24 July, Sa hit two parked cars in her silver Honda Jazz as she was leaving her home in St. Helier. The collision caused damage to both cars, but she left the area without alerting the police.

A short time later, one of the car owners noticed the damage and was informed by someone in the area that a silver Honda Jazz had hit it. 

Whilst waiting for the police to arrive, the person saw Sa in her card driving down the street. He stopped her and waited for the Police. Officers arrested Sa and took a sample of blood, which returned a result that was nearly twice over the prescribed limit of 80 milligrams per 100 ml of blood.

Sa explained that she was in a rush to go get cash when the incident happened. 

Pictured: Sa's lawyer said she was in a rush to get money.

Defending, Advocate Davida Blackmore said Sa admitted she had failed to stop, adding that she was planning to come back and leave a note after collecting her money. 

She told Court there were no other issues with Sa’s driving, and said that she had no previous convictions or criminal record.

She also said that Sa had waited for the police after being stopped by the car owner and had been cooperative with officers.

She described the incident as “out of character”, saying that Sa was “extremely remorseful for her actions.”

“It was a spur of the moment decision to collect the money,” Advocate Blackmore explained. 

She urged the Court to impose a disqualification “as low as it may be”, as Sa, who has been experiencing severe pains for the past four years, was acting as a carer for her daughter and grandson and used her car to drive him around.

Pictured: Sa will have to take her driving test again in 16 months.

The advocate said that Sa appreciated she needed to be disqualified, but asked the Court to limit the period given the impact it would have not only on her but her family.

She also urged the Court to impose a fine “as low as possible”, given that Sa could only pay £50 a week. 

Advocate Blackmore told Court that Sa’s condition was affected by stress and that the Court proceedings had been “extremely stressful” for her.

Returning his sentence, Relief Magistrate David Le Cornu said that he appreciated all that had been said on Sa’s behalf. He subsequently imposed a £2,000 fine, allowing Sa to pay £50 a month. If Sa doesn’t pay, she risks a six-week prison sentence.

He also disqualified her for 16 months and ordered her to take another driving test at the end of the period “to be allowed on the roads again".