Monday, 19 August 2013

Benefit Cheat Was Secretly Hoarding Cash


A benefit cheat, who secretly hoarded thousands of pounds while continuing to borrow from sympathetic family and friends, was told today: "Taxpayers are not there to pay for your nest egg."

Jobless Mark Evans, 54, was sentenced at Inner London Crown Court by Recorder Kaly Kaur QC who told him: "You are the sort of person who lied to your family and friends when you probably had more money then they had.

"That is not an appealing feature of your character."

Evans, of Mabel Court, Lingfield Crescent, Eltham swindled a total of £36,894 from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) in income support payments and housing and council tax benefit from Bexleyheath council.

He pleaded guilty to dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstances to the DWP between January 1, 2007 and June 22, last year, namely savings of up to £28,000.

He also admitted two counts of dishonestly making false statements to the local authority in January, 2010 and July, last year, namely failing to declare excess capital.

"Because his family and friends are now aware they helped him with money over the years while he had these savings they have turned their backs on him," said Evans's lawyer Miss Rebecca Foulkes.

"For a man that had a great deal of social interaction that has hit him very hard."

Prosecutor Mr. Ross Cifonelli told the court Evans was not entitled to the benefits, which began in May, 1998, once his savings exceeded £16,000.

"He said he accumulated the money through savings, which I would approach with a certain degree of scepticism.

"It would be a very successful investment consultant who was able to achieve those assets."

Investigators discovered Evans had an ISA and transferred his savings to a Credit Suisse account.

"He says he has given away much of this money that he had been given over time and was too ill to spend any of the money," added Mr. Cifonelli.

"It was just sitting there, with interest accumulating. There is no evidence of an extravagant lifestyle."

The court heard Evans, who is currently receiving jobseekers allowance, housing benefit and council tax benefit, has £20 deducted weekly to compensate the taxpayer.

"Greed can take a number of forms and there is greed that arises out of concerns for the future," said Miss Foulkes. "He had been unable to work for some time and will probably never work ever again.

"He began saving or his future and for his children's future and it became a compulsion to save for that safety net.

"The confiscation proceedings are going to hit Mr. Evans very hard, but that money will have to be paid back."

In the last nine months £700 has been paid to Bexleyheath council.

"The deductions will be made for as long as his life probably," announced Recorder Kaur. "He was borrowing money from his family when he didn't really need it very much, which is not very attractive, but that is a matter between them and him."

Sentencing Evans to fourteen weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years, the recorder told him: "For five years you persistently claimed benefits you were not entitled to.

"The wish to have a nest egg, savings for the future, is one you are not entitled to when you are claiming benefits.

"Taxpayers are not there to pay for your nest egg."

Sunday, 18 August 2013

Insurance Worker's £39K Computer Fraud On Employer


An insurance claims handler, who stole £39,000 from his employer to settle pay-day loans and drug debts, has been jailed for 17 months.
Christian Williams, 22, (pictured) of Stanwell Road, Penarth, Wales snuck into his Newport office in the middle of the night numerous times between August 2012 and January, including twice when he was on sick leave, and used his manager’s computer logon details to make payments to himself.
He re-opened four genuine household insurance claims that had been closed and in which no settlement payment had been made to the claimant.
He then made three fraudulent payments into his ex-partner’s bank account and a further payment into his own bank account.
But Williams came undone in February when his employer noticed two payments had been made to the same bank account and referred the case to the City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED).
The same month IFED detectives travelled to Newport and arrested Williams at his office.
In police interview Williams stated he used a majority of the cash to settle pay-day loans and drugs debts before spending the remainder on a car, holidays and other luxuries.
He admitted to stealing his supervisor’s computer logon because he was only able to authorise payments of up to £1,000 whereas managers could sign-off up to £10,000.
He also confessed that he had transferred cash into his ex-partner’s bank account without permission.
Williams pleaded guilty at Cardiff Crown Court to five counts of fraud by abuse of position.
Detective Constable Andy Jackson, who led IFED’s investigation, said: “Williams took the decision that his employer was going to be the one to foot the bill for his pay-day loans and drug debts.
“To do this he concocted a scheme that involved sneaking into his office after dark, stealing his manager’s logon details and siphoning tens of thousands of pounds into his and his ex-partner’s accounts.
“Unfortunately for him, the close checks conducted by his employer swiftly led to decisive action by IFED which today leaves him facing seventeen months behind bars.
“IFED is dedicated to working with the insurance industry to root out fraudsters and put them in front of the courts.”

Saturday, 17 August 2013

Rugby-Playing Insurance Fraudster Jailed For £900K Scam


An engineer, who tried to swindle his employer's insurers out over £900,000 for a work injury he claimed incapacitated him, has been jailed after investigators filmed him playing rugby.
David Ribchester, 32, of Cricklewood Road, Sunderland lied that he seriously injured both wrists when a ladder he was standing on gave way while at work.
However, undercover investigators not only filmed him playing rugby, but also assembling garden furniture, refueling his car, shaking hands and holding a child - activities he insisted he could no longer perform.
Ribchester was sentenced at the Old Bailey to eight months imprisonment after pleading guilty to fraud between February 2006 and January, last year in relation to a claim for personal injury compensation totalling £923,165.
He told insurers RSA that his injuries meant he was unable to work, shop, drive a manual car or play rugby.

He also reported he could not lift his young daughter with his right hand.

RSA sent the film to the City of London Police Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED) on the unit’s launch in January 2013.

IFED detectives arrested Ribchester at a house in April 2013.

Detective Sergeant Tom Finnegan, who led IFED’s investigation, said: “Ribchester exaggerated his injuries and the impact they had on him thinking that no one would bother to find out if he was really telling the truth.

“This was a serious mistake that turned him into a criminal and his actions have cost him a jail sentence.
 


“There is still a public perception that making exaggerated claims to insurance companies is somehow acceptable.

“IFED securing convictions is evidence of how committed we are to working with insurers to change this culture in England and Wales.”  

John Beadle, RSA Counter Fraud Manager, said: "RSA fully support IFED in its effort to bring real consequences to those who attempt to commit fraud against insurers and their customers. 

“People need to realise that insurance fraud is not a victimless crime as we all end up paying through our premiums. 

“They also need to wake up to the fact that insurers are no longer a 'soft touch' and work closely with IFED to ensure that those who commit fraud are detected and face the consequences of the law".

Friday, 16 August 2013

Friends Nick Designer Dresses During Boozy Birthday Trip

L - Hunter R - Moore

Two Liverpool shoplifters, who targeted a pair of designer dresses worth £4,200 at the landmark Harvey Nichols department store during a birthday trip to the capital, claimed they were so drunk on wine they could not remember the high-value theft.

Rebecca Hunter, 31, of Huyton Church Road and Natalie Moore, 36, of Roby Road removed security tags from the garments in the changing rooms of the Knightsbridge store, but were already being watched by suspicious security staff who stopped them outside.

They both pleaded guilty at Hammersmith Magistrates' Court to stealing the dresses, designed by French fashion house Lanvin, on July 5 and each received a twelve-month community order, with 200 hours community service.

Prosecutor Mr. Tom Gill told the court it was 7.30pm when a store detective began watching the pair, who say they had been drinking for the previous six-and-a-half hours.

"The store detective watched Moore select three dresses and pass them to Hunter and then they both went to the dressing-rooms.

"Only one of the dresses was left on the rail and two broken security tags had been hidden behind a dressing-room mirror.

"They were stopped outside in the street and Hunter produced the two dresses from her bag and both had been damaged by the removal of the security tags."

They were arrested and quizzed after spending a night in the cells.

"Hunter said she could not remember anything because she was drunk. She said she was a binge drinker and was very sorry for what had happened," explained Mr. Gill.

"Moore said she was drunk and could not remember what had happened. She said she had drunk four bottles of wine and said she was sorry.

"She told officers she was on anti-depressants and had recently broken up with her child's father and was taking comfort in drinking."

Their lawyer Miss Cleo Rehamena told the court: "Both of them are ashamed of their behaviour. It was Miss Moore's birthday and they came to London.

"That day they were drinking very heavily from one pm, sharing four bottles of red wine between them, and have found the whole ordeal very disturbing.

"They both have previous convictions for theft and they were both playing the same role in this offence.

"After fourteen years with her partner Miss Moore found out he was having an affair and is now residing with her mother and thirteen year-old daughter.

"She has left the matrimonial home and has nothing."

District Judge James Henderson told the defendants: "There are a number of aggravating features and you could not have complained if you had been sent to prison.

"If you breach these orders the likely outcome will be prison because of the aggravating features and the high value."

Hunter and Moore were also ordered to each pay £500 compensation to Harvey Nichols.

Thursday, 15 August 2013

Financial Advisor Charged With Defrauding Client He Is Accused Of Murdering


A financial advisor, accused of bludgeoning a wealthy American socialite client to death at his Mayfair apartment, appeared in court yesterday charged with stealing £343,000 from the victim's bank account.

David Jeffs, 36, (pic.bottom) of Larch Close, Arnold, Nottingham was taken from his remand cell at top-security HMP Belmarsh to City of London Magistrates' Court.

He is charged with fraud by abuse of position between March 1, 2010 and December 2, last year, namely arranging and receiving the money from 63 year-old Roberto Troyan's accounts into his own personal bank account.

The body of Mr. Troyan (pic.top) was found by his cleaner at the Mount Street address on March 8.

He suffered fatal head injuries.

Mr. Troyan was the former partner of the late architect and interior designer Anthony Feldman, who had worked for Jonathan Aitken and Princess Michael of Kent.

Jeffs was a private client advisor with London and Surrey-based HFM Columbus, a partnership of financial and wealth management firms.

His Old Bailey murder trial is due to begin on October 7.

Wednesday, 14 August 2013

Kid's Nursery Boss Shoved Employee While Shouting: "Stupid White Bitch"


The black manager of a children's nursery has been fined after calling one of her staff a "stupid white bitch," and pushing the young woman during a row over breaks.

Rosalind Sawyer, 66, of Wilbury Avenue, Sutton told Tara Swift to "get the fuck out of my nursery," and has now ended up with a conviction for racially aggravated assault.

She denied, but was convicted of the offence at Camberwell Magistrates' Court and was fined a total of £250, with £500 costs.

The court heard Sawyer confronted Miss Swift outside the Childrens World Nursery in Wiltshire Road, Brixton (pictured) on January 31 after spotting the baby care employee leaving for a break.

"I heard my name being called and saw that it was my manager," Miss Swift told the court.

"She said: 'Where do you think you're going?' and said I had better go back inside or not bother coming back.

"She was loud and aggressive and had just turned up at two in the afternoon and I had been there all morning.

"She said she was sick off me and my fucking breaks every day and when I said I was entitled to a break she told me to: 'Get the fuck out of my nursery'."

Inside Miss Swift collected her belongings from a staff locker and was leaving the room via a baby gate when Sawyer approached.

"Mrs Sawyer pushed me in my throat and I went staggering back. 

"I had no defence. I was holding the gate and was not expecting it.

"As she pushed me I went stumbling back and afterwards I started crying.

"Mrs Sawyer said: 'You can't do your job. You're stupid, you're a fucking white bitch.'

"I was upset, I was shocked."

Tuesday, 13 August 2013

Actress Daughter Of Ex-Sky Sports Presenter Richard Keys Cleared Of Punching Paramedic In Face


The troubled actress daughter of ex-Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys enjoyed a rare court victory yesterday when the paramedic who claims she punched her in the face failed to appear for the trial.

Former Hollyoaks star Jemma Keys, 28, of Westbourne Terrace Road, Bayswater, who currently serving a one-year community order, with 175 hours community service work for a drunken attack on her mother, has always denied the charge.

She walked free from Hammersmith Magistrates' Court, where she also recently appeared for breaching another supervision order imposed for drink-driving while taking and driving away an ex-boyfriend's car.

Prosecutor Mr. David Mold told the court: "The victim is a paramedic at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and was taking Miss Key's into the building on a stretcher and felt she needed to apply the restraints.

"With her clenched right fist she punched the complainant on the nose, causing swelling."

Keys pleaded not guilty to assaulting Claire Bradshaw on August 23, last year and her mother Julia Keys, 53, had taken a police officer's shoulder number at the scene, resulting in the officer agreeing to give evidence for the defence.

"The police officer will say Miss Keys demanded to be taken to a private hospital or be let go and as she moved her arms to avoid being restrained there was an accidental clash with the paramedic," explained Mr. John Oliver, defending.

District Judge Teresa Szagun refused to adjourn the trial for the prosecution witnesses to attend.

"This was an allegation of assault against a paramedic and did involve an element of battery, but three trial dates have already been fixed and this is an offence that is twelve months old.

"There is no explanation for their non-attendance today and I consider the matter should proceed."

She told Keys: "The Crown are not in any position to offer any evidence so you are free to go."

The case marks the end of a string of alcohol-related incidents involving Keys, who has received treatment for her addiction, including her father funding a stay at a Far East retreat.

Last month she admitted digging her fingernails into her mother's wrists as Mrs Keys tried to protect herself from her drunken daughter's flurry of kicks at the family's £4m Chelsea home.

She is currently serving a three-year driving disqualification, has struggled to co-operate with the probation service, often skipping appointments, and received a caution for a separate assault on her mother. 

During last month's sentencing hearing Mr. Oliver told the court: "She has shown a reluctance to take part in alcohol counselling because she has been in residential rehabilitation, funded by her parents, and feels until she addresses her emotional problems she will relapse.

"She had difficulties growing up and there were difficulties in her parents' relationship that effected her."

In the last year Keys has lived in approximately ten different addresses including Sunningdale, Wentworth, Plymouth, Chelsea and Ilford, but her new three-year lease is for a settled home funded by her father.

When she pleaded guilty to attacking her mother her solicitor Mr. Fadi Daoud told the court: "She is dysfunctional and has no income and no job and is somebody who has had alcohol problems for six or seven years.

"Her mother went to the police because she found her daughter drunk again, face-down, and there has been a lot of history in the past when her mother has not pursued it.

"Miss Keys continued to receive the support of her family and is somebody who can remain sober for six or seven weeks and then relapse.

"It is an on-going problem the family are dealing with. There is a massive amount of history.

"Miss Keys takes a lot of energy and time out of her family and others and she has to realise it is down to her and hopefully as a result of this the light has come on.

"She is a clever girl from a good family and her family have assisted her by buying her a home and arranging for a car to always pick her up and collect her so she can avoid dangers."

The lawyer asked the court to give Keys credit for her behaviour while on bail. "She could have run away and been found again face-down in the gutter.

"The positive is that she has a family that can and will assist her."

The court also heard Keys was previously arrested by Sussex Police for being drunk and disorderly on January 3 and received a caution.

Monday, 12 August 2013

Environment Campaigner Busted Fellow-Protestor's Jaw On Eve Of Demo


An environmental campaigner, who broke a fellow-protestor's jaw with a single punch during an alcohol-fueled evening before the Hyde Park demo, has been jailed for nine months.

Jay Hindley, 34, of The Cottage, New House Farm, Kniveton, Derbyshire was convinced the victim made a pass at his girlfriend after the group had enjoyed a chinese meal and drinks.

The single-father-of-two, (pictured) who runs a small crafts business, had travelled to London with his girlfriend to attend an anti-geo engineering/chemtrials protest, which aimed to bring attention to environmental pollution.

He pleaded guilty at Isleworth Crown Court to inflicting grievous bodily harm on Daniel Betts at 8B St. Charles Square, North Kensington in the early hours of April 6.

Prosecutor Mr. Olu Phillips told the court one of the protest organisers agreed to house the defendant, his girlfriend and Mr. Betts at her home overnight.

There had only been Facebook contact between them before meeting up, but there was no hostility during the meal and they bought wine and beer on the way back to the address.

After more drinking the host and Hindley and his girlfriend retied to their respective bedrooms, with Mr. Betts sleeping on the sofa.

However, during the night when the defendant's girlfriend got up to go to the bathroom there was an incident, which led Hindley to believe there was some sexual contact between the pair.

He woke Mr. Betts and punched him as he lay on the couch, also knocking out two of the victim's teeth.

"It was an unprovoked attack, a single punch," said Mr. Olu.

Hindley's lawyer Mr. Alistair Walker told the court: "He made a full confession in interview and prior to his arrest texted the victim an apology and posted his regret on Facebook.

"His drinking led him to a gross error of judgement."

Judge Phillip Matthews told Hindley: "On that day you punched him once in the face with sufficient force to fracture his jaw, which was broken in two places, and you broke two of his teeth.

"There had been some form of argument between you and Mr. Betts and the large intake of alcohol removed any inhibition you had to resolve your differences other than resorting to violence.

"You have clearly shown remorse for your behaviour and it was a single blow and you have family that are dependant on you." 

Sunday, 11 August 2013

City Finance Whizz Caught With Child Porn


A St Andrew's University graduate's lucrative financial career in the City was destroyed when police raided his flat and seized sick child porn images he had downloaded on his laptop.

Aberdeen-born Matthew Smith, 24, was suspended from his job advising the wealthy as to how best invest their riches and he returned to the family home.

Smith, of Charleston Crescent, Aberdeen has been an official ambassador for the last three years for the Saltire Foundation,  which awards internships all over the world to Scotland's brightest youngsters, and he is currently employed by independent financial advisors in his home town.

He pleaded guilty at Isleworth Crown Court to thirteen charges of possessing indecent photographs of girls, aged between seven and twelve years-old, at his former flat in Shepherd's Bush Road, west London on May 25, last year.

Prosecutor Mr. Gavin Kirkpatrick told the court: "Police became aware that Mr. Smith may have accessed child pornography and executed a search warrant at his home.

"After a laptop that was seized was analysed he was arrested and interviewed and made no comment.

A total of fifty-seven images were found ranging from thirty-eight at Level One, three at Level 2, six at Level 3, nine at Level 4 and one at Level Five, the most extreme category of child pornography.

Smith's lawyer Mr. Nigel Richardson said: "He was born and bred in Aberdeen and after graduating from St. Andrew's University moved to London in September, twenty-eleven to work for financial advisors in the City.

"He was advising high net worth individuals. It was a well-paid and prized job."

Smith had landed a position with award-winning chartered independent financial advisors Saunderson House.

"After police seized his computer his company suspended him, but later agreed to take him back, but by then Mr. Smith had resigned from his post and returned to Aberdeen.

"His family were fairly shocked, but supportive."

Police originally charged Smith with possessing 1209 indecent images, but after instructing an expert, whose report concerning the approximate ages of the subjects was served on the Crown Prosecution Service, that amount was drastically reduced.

The court heard the defendant sought counselling with an organisation called 'Stop It Now' and had seen a sexual psycotherapist.

That expert's letter to the court read: "He has no sexual interest in children. His interest it towards adult women."

Judge Philip Matthews sentenced Smith to a three-year community order, which includes attending a community sex offenders group programme.

He was also ordered to perform 200 hours community service work and pay £500 costs.

Smith was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for five years and an indefinite sexual offenders prevention order was made, which requires him to make his internet history available to police inspection.

"The reason for the prohibition on possessing such images is understood by you and members of the public. Children as young as seven were used in such a fashion that is contrary to all civilised behaviour," the judge told him.

"The images were for your own personal sexual gratification. They were not shared or shown to anyone else.

"You are now in a good job and there are prospects that you will continue to have a successful career."

Saturday, 10 August 2013

Secret Student Sentenced For £47K Benefits Swindle



A young mother-of-five, who kept her lucrative student loans and grants secret, has dodged prison with a suspended sentence for a £47,000 benefit swindle.

Aziza Abouoff, 28, (pictured) of Lewis Road, Sidcup, south-east London had admitted the three-year fraud and was committed for sentencing to Inner London Crown Court.


She illegally obtained £42,988 in housing benefit and £4,678 in council tax benefit.


Abouoff, who is estranged from her husband, pleaded guilty to four counts of failing to notify a change of circumstances to the London Borough of Bexley on dates between September 23, 2007 and October 3, 2010.


She was sentenced to three months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months, ordered to perform 80 community service work and must pay an £80 victim surcharge.


The offences related to University of Greenwich loans amounting to £6,615 and £8,975 and grants amounting to £1,000 and £11,486.


Abouoff also received Greenwich School of Management loans of £8,975 and £7,088 and grants of £16,827 and £7,025.

Friday, 9 August 2013

Benefits Bullionaire Hid Secret Gold Reserves During Decade-Long Fraud



Goldfinger of benefit fraud Ronald Cooper, who kept his inheritance, ten bank accounts and £54,000 bullion investment a secret during a decade-long swindle, has avoided prison with a suspended sentence.

The lifelong unemployed 61year-old, who is currently receiving housing benefit and disability living allowance, ripped-off two different London borough's while making repeated claims during the £50,000 fraud.

Cooper, of King Charles House, Wandon Road, Fulham pleaded guilty at Isleworth Crown Court to five counts of dishonestly making false representations in relation to housing benefit and council tax benefit applications and one count in relation to income support between September 10, 2002 and June 1, 2008.

He also pleaded guilty to dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstances to the Department of Work and Pensions, namely a £25,666 inheritance on or about June 30, 2010.

Prosecutor Mr. Howard Watkinson told the court Cooper was overpaid from 2002 until 2012 - the period his savings exceeded the statutory limit of £16,000 after which claimant's are no longer entitled to benefits.

"This is not a case where the claim was fraudulent from the outset, but three years after it began he had accumulated such savings from benefits he was no longer entitled."

Cooper, who has a council flat, swindled housing benefit payments from both the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. 

"He took a course of deceit involving two local authorities and the Department of Work and Pensions," explained Mr. Watkinson. "This involved dishonest declarations at to the savings he held and the bank accounts. 

"By June, twenty-ten the defendant held some ten bank accounts, some were opened short-term for the savings rate at the time, and at the end of that year he received an inheritance of just over twenty-five thousand pounds.

"By August, twenty-eleven he had just under fifty-four thousand pounds in his various accounts  and converted that sum to an investment in gold bullion."

All of Cooper's financial assets, which now add up to £63,000, have been frozen by a restraining order and the various departments will be reimbursed under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

"He made full and frank admissions to what he had done and agreed in a declaration that he knew what he was doing was wrong and illegal and cheated people who were more deserving than him out of benefits," added Mr. Watkinson.

Cooper's lawyer Mr. Edward Seller told the court: "He is a reclusive and obsessive person, who has never really worked in his life.

"He is worried by some cataclysmic event that has something to do with homelessness and lack of security.

"He lives alone and is worried about what will happen to him."

Judge John Denniss told Cooper: "The gold bullion bought in twenty-eleven was probably a good investment and to avoid detection as many as ten bank accounts were opened.

"The offence is a serious one over many years and displays traits of serious dishonesty.

"Once your savings had mounted up you must have realised you were committing an offence and fifty thousand pounds was taken from the taxpayer.

"This is not a victimless crime, it is a crime against society.

"You are socially isolated and have an obsessive concern or anxiety about some impending cataclysmic event that has compelled you to prepare for that anxiety."

Cooper was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and ordered to complete 100 hours community service.

Thursday, 8 August 2013

Mum Drove With Toddler Son While Nearly Three Times Drinks Limit After Birthday Bash

Drinker's: Fearon and The Rose pub

A mother, who drove home from a pub birthday party with her four year-old son in the car while nearly three times the drink-drive limit, staggered to the front door and "rambled" to police when officers arrived to arrest her.

PA Henrietta Fearon, 34, downed Pimm's and wine during the afternoon bash at the trendy Fulham bar, but a shocked eye-witness dialled 999 after spotting the obviously intoxicated defendant getting into her black Mini outside.

First-time offender Fearon, who works for a chartered surveyor, drove the 1.5 miles home to her half a million pound flat in Mablethorpe Road without incident, but immediately confessed when confronted.

She pleaded guilty at Hammersmith Magistrates' Court on Tuesday to driving with excess alcohol in her breath on July 20 and was fined £625 and disqualified for two years and four months.

Her reading was 95 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Prosecutor Mr. Tom Gill told the court: "Police received a call from a concerned member of the public concerning a woman who had left the Rose public house in Harwood Terrace and drove off with a child in the car.

"Police visited the defendant's address and she answered the door while unsteady on her feet and rambled on about being at a friend's birthday party that afternoon, where she had Pimm's and wine.

"She said: 'I can't believe this. I've made a big mistake'."

Fearon's solicitor Miss Naomi Alcendor said: "She took her son to a play centre and went to the party and did not consume any alcohol.

"She collected her son, but then stopped off again at the party on the way home.

"It is a family-orientated venue with a garden and she did consume alcohol and decided to drive the short distance to her home.

"She is devastated to find herself in this position because she had her son with her that day."

Magistrate Mrs Nicola Leach told Fearon: "This is a very, very high reading and we are concerned you drove under such circumstances with your son in the car."

Fearon was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £65 victim surcharge, which she agreed to pay immediately.