5:20pm Saturday 10th December 2011
A senior Pembrokeshire county councillor, who crashed into her neighbour’s front door while three times over the drink driving limit, has apologised for her behaviour.
Labour group deputy leader Kate Becton, aged 63, of Park Street, Pembroke Dock, was arrested after she drove her car into a neighbour’s house, having consumed a whole bottle of wine, on November 3rd.
Last week she was banned from getting behind the wheel for two years.
Haverfordwest magistrates heard that a breath test revealed she had 107 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.
The legal limit is 35.
Prosecutor Ellie Morgan said that when a police officer attended Becton’s house, where she parked after the incident, he found her leaning into an “extensively damaged” Chevrolet Takuna with a bottle of wine in her hand.
The court heard that Becton, who was elected seven years ago, decided to drive to the local shop to buy cigarettes after drinking a bottle of rose wine that evening.
Jonathan Webb, defending, said that Becton had been under a lot of stress in her life because she was a full time carer for her partner of 30 years, who recently had his leg amputated.
He said: “She is a lady of hitherto impeccable character, who on that day did something very, very foolish.
“She is very remorseful and very embarrassed.”
He added that Becton may have consumed more alcohol when she returned home following the crash, which may have given a higher reading on the breathalyser.
Following her court appearance, Cllr Becton said: “I would like to apologise unreservedly to everyone for my behaviour that night. I am so thankful that no one was hurt. I am grateful to my family, friends and colleagues, who although were very shocked, have also been very supportive.”
Becton, who represents the Pembroke Dock Central Ward, admitted driving a vehicle when her alcohol level was above the limit.
She was fined £500, disqualified from driving for 24 months, and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £15 surcharge by magistrates.
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