Drink-Drive Mum Over Three Times Limit

Wimbledon Magistrates' Court

A drunken mum-of-two, caught driving over three times the drinks limit after downing a bottle of vodka, has been banned from the roads for two-and-a-half years today.

Carla Sloman, 44, still owes £600 per month in payments for the next two years on her Audi Q5, which she is no longer allowed to drive.

The £82,000-a year IT professional, of Leigham Court Road, Streatham pleaded guilty to driving the blue two-litre vehicle in Roehampton Lane, Roehampton on August 26 with excess alcohol in her breath.

Her reading was 128 microgrammes. The legal limit is 35.

Wimbledon Magistrates Court heard she consumed the bottle of vodka over a couple of hours driving around the Roehampton area and ended up sleeping in the car.

“She was at rock bottom and that's how she feels today,” her lawyer told the court. 

“She has always used alcohol as a prop. She is a high-achieving lady, with a career, which she has held down while juggling family commitments.”

Sloman pays private school fees and owes a relative £40,000. 

Despite her husband earning £145,000 the court heard the couple have sunk much of their savings into renovating their home.

“They are not particularly flash, they have no savings,” added the lawyer.

The magistrate told Sloman: “You are obviously remorseful and have entered a guilty plea. It was a very high reading.

“There is always a high possibility people can be killed by drink drivers.”

Sloman was placed on a twelve-month Community Order, which includes 150 hours unpaid community service, plus up to 25 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement.

She was disqualified from driving for 30 months and must pay £85 costs and a £95 victim surcharge.