Three year ban for drink driver who was followed by concerned motorist

49-year-old was more than twice the legal limit

A Ballaugh woman has been banned from the road for three years after being caught drink driving.

Forty-nine-year-old Sarah Louise Novak was more than twice the legal limit when police arrested her on Saturday (30 July).

Novak was spotted by another motorist, in her white Audi A3 on the Tholt-y-Will Road, at around 8.15pm – they thought her car, which was damaged, had been abandoned.

On closer inspection the witness saw Novak sitting in the passenger seat – she declined their assistance before driving away at speed.

The motorist followed her to her home address – describing her driving as ‘erratic’ and ‘all over the road’ – before calling police who arrived at the property, on Main Road, at 8.45pm.

Officers found smoke coming from her vehicle – Novak admitted drinking and failed a roadside breath test; she was arrested and taken to Police Headquarters.

At Douglas Courthouse on Tuesday (2 August) Novak admitted drink driving – her advocate told the court she was ‘mortified’ adding: “She simply can’t believe she finds herself in this position.”  

The court heard she’d gone for a drink with a friend and had intended to get a taxi home but could offer ‘no rationale’ as to why she’d made the decision to drive instead.

Sentencing her High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said Novak had driven a ‘considerable distance’ adding: “You’ve lost your good character.”

She fined her £1,500 and ordered her to pay £125 in prosecution costs.

Novak must also take and pass an extended driving test and a drink drive rehabilitation course.