Far Northern grandma blows 0.268% with four grandchildren in the car
A WOMAN'S life as a "law-abiding citizen" came crashing down when she was caught drink-driving more than five times over the legal limit with her four grandchildren in the car.
Margaret Diane Williamson, 55, was fined $1500 and disqualified from holding a licence for 15 months yesterday after she pleaded guilty in Cairns Magistrates’ Court to drink-driving.
Williamson was taking her four grandchildren to a swimming carnival about 12.30pm on July 14 when members of the public reported a car driving erratically along Sheppards St at Gordonvale.
When police caught up with her 10 minutes later, she admitted to being the driver and later returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.268 per cent.
Magistrate Allan Comans expressed shock that the woman did not realise how drunk she was, and repeatedly asked her defence solicitor Ken Cuthbertson if she had "reflected on how that happened".
"She didn’t believe she had a reading at that level," Mr Cuthbertson replied.
"She has been very tearful and upset in conversations with me."
Mr Cuthbertson said the ramifications for his client not having a licence would be significant, as her grandchildren and daughter lived with her and she often drove them around.
The court heard Williamson had no criminal history, and her husband was in the public gallery yesterday supporting her.
"She has obviously lived a long life as a law-abiding citizen," Mr Cuthbertson said.
"She no longer intends to drink."
Mr Comans said the reading was "high to the extreme".
"Your reading in the car represented a great danger to the public, your passengers and yourself," he said.
"Even to then decide to drive like you did – it was a foolish thing to do to the extreme.
"You need to reflect on why this happened to make sure it never happens again."
Mr Comans recorded a conviction, and referred the fine to the State Penalties Enforcement Registry.
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Five times over the limit: A Gordonvale grandmother was fined $1500 and disqualified from driving for 15 months after pleading guilty to drink-driving.
