Yahoo News 'Rowdy' mum, 35, left pub and wrote off parked car after ploughing into it and pushing it over a wall
A "rowdy" mum who was "no doubt intoxicated" drove off from a Billingham pub and hit a parked car with such force it was pushed over a wall.
Amy Bolton, 35, also left her mum severely injured in the collision. But she reversed and drove off, as people came out of their homes and filmed her.
The mum-of-three then lied to the police when she was arrested the next day - October 20 of last year. She claimed it wasn't her at the crash, but her DNA was found on the airbag.
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On Thursday, Teesside Crown Court heard that Bolton's mother was left with a fractured spine, near her neck, in the collision. Her niece, who was in the back, also suffered soreness from where her seatbelt held her in place. The court heard that Bolton wasn't charged with causing serious injury, because her mother did not want to give a statement to the police.
The car that Bolton ploughed into, on Melrose Avenue, was written off. Bolton also damaged other parked vehicles as each car was pushed into another.
Jenny Haigh, prosecuting, said that the mother had been drinking in The Lion Pub, on Marsh House Avenue, on October 19. She was described by a witness as "drinking and getting loud" before she had an argument with someone and left the pub.
Ms Haigh said that Bolton got into her silver VW Golf and "sped off" before crashing. Bolton, of Lomond Avenue in Billingham, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.
In mitigation, David Ward said that Bolton has "been going through a hard time, and is off the drink now." The court heard that she has been the victim of domestic abuse and after splitting from her partner, she is on medication for PTSD. She claims benefits whilst looking after her three children.
Judge Richard Bennett told Bolton: "You had been drinking and your behaviour was rowdy. You left the pub, with someone who I presume, is your mother.
"The weather was wet and the road conditions were poor. You drove at speed and you lost control. You hit a car with such force, you pushed it over a verge and a wall. You made off, I'm sure, because you were intoxicated.
"But you weren't arrested until the next day. You caused serious injury to your mother and the only reason you were not charged is because your mother declined to give a statement."
He added: "Your children have saved you today, as I have to have their welfare in mind."
Bolton was handed a 16-month-two-week prison term, suspended for two-years. She was made subject to a 120-day alcohol abstinence programme and must attend 30-rehabilitation days.
Bolton was also banned from driving for two years. As she left the dock, the judge told her: "You have come a whisker away from going to prison today."
