Halstead woman receives three-year disqualification following drunk driving conviction

A 35-year-old woman, who was prevented from leaving a Halstead supermarket in her car due to worries that she was drunk, has received a driving disqualification.

Kaye Carlton entered Lidl in Kings Road on Tuesday, July 23, and attempted to purchase alcohol, but she was refused by shop workers, who suspected she was already heavily intoxicated.

Carlton, of Clovers, Halstead, then walked to her car, which was parked outside the store, and was challenged by a member of the store’s security staff.

She subsequently reversed the vehicle with the door open, but the security member was able to remove the keys from the ignition.

Carlton passed out soon afterwards, and she was transported to hospital.

While at hospital, she refused to give a specimen for analysis when it was requested.

At a hearing at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court this month, Carlton was banned from driving for 36 months.

She was also handed a 12-month suspended jail sentence and ordered to pay a £122 fine and complete a rehabilitation requirement.

Pc Thomas Raes, investigating officer from Essex Police’s Stanway Roads Policing Unit, said: “I’d like to thank Lidl and the security guard in question for their actions that day.

“Carlton refused to co-operate with our requirements and refused to provide a specimen and has been banned from driving for a lengthy period.”