Lemington mother had 'baby-brain' after being caught drink-driving without a licence, court told

A Newcastle mother who was caught drink-driving without a licence put the offence down to having "baby-brain".

Brittany Telford was spotted by police driving through a red light in Lemington in the early hours of the morning and was "hesitant" to stop after officers tried to pull her over. When she did stop, officers could smell booze on her breath, but she said she'd only had one pint of Stella Artois with dinner.

Newcastle Magistrates' Court heard that Telford, who only has a provisional driving licence, had given birth merely weeks before the offence, and that she committed it partly due to having "baby-brain". The 25-year-old has now been banned from driving and fined.

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Telford, of Valley View, Lemington, Newcastle, appeared at the court this week where she pleaded guilty to drink-driving. She also admitted driving without a licence or insurance, as well as an offence relating to driving through a red light. The offences were committed on March 24 this year.

The court heard that police were on patrol at around 1.30am when they saw Telford behind the wheel of a Vauxhall Corsa driving through a red light. Paul Coulson, prosecuting, said: "Police followed the vehicle and activated their lights. The vehicle was hesitant stopping and the [police] sirens were activated."

Telford eventually pulled over "abruptly" and officers could smell alcohol on her breath when they spoke to her. Mr Coulson continued: "The defendant confirmed she'd had one pint of Stella with dinner. A breath test was completed and she was arrested."

Telford then admitted to the officers that she only had a provisional driving licence and she was taken to Forth Banks police station. The court was told she had one previous conviction for a battery offence, dating back to 2012.

Kashif Khan, defending, said: "She has an eight-year-old child and had given birth [to her second] weeks earlier. It was the first night in over nine months when she could consume alcohol. She took the silly decision to drive...she has been receiving driving lessons... She puts [the offences] down to baby brain and alcohol."

Mr Khan added: "It was a time of great joy which descended into despair."

Telford was fined £200 and banned from driving for 22 months, which can be reduced by 22 weeks if she completes a driving course. She must also pay £85 costs and an £80 surcharge.