Woman fined £2,400 for "accumulation of offending”

Friday 20 October 2023

A woman who was caught using a mobile phone while driving, and assaulted a nightclub bouncer three months later, has been fined a total of £2,400.

Claire Louise Fowell (41) was seen speaking on the phone while driving her white Hyundai along Victoria Avenue on 5 June this year, the Magistrate’s Court heard.

When stopped by police, it transpired that her UK driving licence was invalid.

The court was also told that on the evening of 24 September, Fowell kicked a doorman at the Vittoria nightclub in the back when he refused to allow her in after closing time.

She admitted the charges of using a phone while driving, driving without a valid licence, common assault and being disorderly on premises.

Advocate Chris Baglin, defending, said Fowell had a UK driving licence and the absence of valid Jersey licence had been an oversight.

He added: “Her phone rang and she answered it. She wasn’t texting or looking down on it. Her eyes were still on the road.”

Assistant Magistrate Adam Clarke said the charges represented “quite an accumulation of offending” and told Fowell: “I hope that we won’t be seeing you again.”

He allowed her to pay the fine at the rate of £200 per month.