A MUM of six was given an eight-week jail term – suspended for a year – and will be electronically tagged for a three-month 9pm-7am curfew for driving while disqualified.
Penny Mills was banned for two years for driving with excess alcohol on Flower Parade Day but was back behind the wheel five weeks after her court appearance because her son needed picking up from school.
She pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and driving without insurance at a hearing on July 19 when sentence was adjourned for reports.
At Tuesday’s resumed hearing, Mills told magistrates it was a spur of the moment thing because her son’s godparent was unable at the last minute to collect him from school because he had to go to hospital with his wife who had a collapsed lung.”
She said her son has a disability and cannot use buses on his own.
Mills, (37), of Winsover Road, Spalding, said: “This was a one-off in desperation. I wasn’t going to collect a pizza or had run out of milk.”
Magistrates imposed a second 24 month ban, ordered Mills to pay £85 costs and told her she is no longer eligible to cut her original ban by a quarter by attending a rehabilitation course.
Hugh Cauthery, prosecuting, said Mills was stopped in her Mercedes on Bourne Road, Spalding, on July 3 because a police officer recognised her as a banned driver.
The officer asked if she was banned and Mills replied: “Yes I am. I am on my way to pick up my son, he has ADHD.
“I am sorry, I was desperate.”
Mills told magistrates the curfew was “fantastic” because it meant she could go on being her children’s mum.