Union leader banned from roads after "reckless and selfish" drink-driving

Wednesday 24 July 2024

A teaching union leader, who was caught driving with an "astronomically high" blood alcohol level of more than three times the legal limit, has been handed a driving ban and community service order.

Marina Mauger (64) drove her blue BMW to a Marks and Spencer shop in St Martin to purchase vodka on April 13 around 17:00.

The Magistrate's Court heard on Tuesday that another motorist alerted police after noticing Mauger's driving was "below standard" and that she hit roadside signage both along La Grande Route De Faldouet and near the store.

St Martin Centenier Gordon Jones, prosecuting, said that Mauger parked across two disabled and parent-child bays after arriving at M&S.

Pictured: Mauger was sentenced in the Magistrate's Court yesterday.

Police found Mauger asleep in her home at 17:13, the court heard.

A subsequent blood test at police headquarters gave a reading of 270 millilitres of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood – almost three and a half times the legal maximum of 80 millilitres.

Advocate Sarah Dale, defending, argued against a custodial sentence because her client admitted guilt at the first opportunity.

She added that a number of personal "setbacks" framed the incident — including two recent bereavements and the loss of her home of 29 years.

The court also heard that Mauger, who is employed by NASUWT, suffered from anxiety that stemmed from a "major event" in 2012.

Assistant Magistrate Adam Clark described the alcohol reading as "astronomically high" and Mauger's decision as "reckless and selfish".

He said the case avoided custody "by the narrowest of margins," adding that her "poor" driving put "road users and pedestrians in danger."

He said: "Having difficult issues is never an excuse to drink to excess and then drive. It is wholly unacceptable."

The court also heard that Mauger's employer is happy for her to continue her role and that she is considered to be low risk of reoffending.

As well as disqualifying her from driving for three years and a 140-hour community service order, the Assistant Magistrate ordered Mauger to retake and pass the driving test after the 36 months of disqualification.