Isle of Wight drink driver caught more than 4 times over limit

Beata Mazurek, of Rooke Street, Newport, previously pleaded guilty to drink driving and attended the Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court on Friday, March 8 for sentencing.

Liz Miller, prosecuting, said police saw a Nissan Qashqai swerving from left to right in Ryde at 10.35pm on December 19.

Ms Miller told the court police followed the vehicle until it was safe to stop on Argyll Street and engaged with 41-year-old Mazurek through the passenger side window, noting a strong smell of alcohol.

Argyll Street in Ryde (Image: Google Maps)

Mazurek initially refused a roadside alcohol test, but, after being reminded it was an offence to refuse, changed her mind and complied, said Ms Miller.

The roadside test came back positive, and Mazurek was found to have 156mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath – almost four-and-a-half times over the drink-drive limit.

Michael McGoldrick, defending, admitted his client’s alcohol reading was “incredibly high,” but asked magistrates to consider a suspended sentence, rather than an immediate term of imprisonment.

Mr McGoldrick told the court Mazurek has suffered long-term trauma and is vulnerable as a result. She is also a full-time carer for her elderly father.

Magistrates told Mazurek: “This is one of the highest readings we have seen.”

Mazurek was handed a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and disqualified from driving for three years.