A drink-driver, Sarah Reese, has failed to overturn her 18-month prison sentence after causing serious injury by dangerous driving in Fairlight. Reese, 59, was caught on her dashboard camera insisting that she wouldn’t drive after consuming alcohol. However, moments later, she was seen reversing her black Seat out of her driveway and driving erratically.
On April 17 last year, shortly after 8 PM, Reese lost control of her vehicle and struck two elderly pedestrians who were walking on the pavement on the opposite side of the road. One of the victims sustained serious injuries. The dashboard footage then showed Reese driving downhill on Waites Lane, where she eventually crashed into a hedge.
Sussex Police is using the footage to highlight the dangers of drinking and driving. Reese, a former local authority employee from Fyrsway, Fairlight, lost her appeal against her sentence at Lewes Crown Court on March 31. She had been sentenced in December last year after admitting to causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving while over the prescribed limit for alcohol.
Reese received a total of 18 months in prison and was disqualified from driving for three years and nine months. The court also ordered that she must take an extended re-test if she wishes to regain her driving privileges. A blood test revealed that Reese had 135 milligrams (mg) of alcohol per litre of blood, significantly above the legal limit of 80mg of alcohol per litre of blood.
Roads Policing Unit officer PC Nigel Dunn said: “This case shows the dangers of driving a vehicle after drinking alcohol.
“Reese claimed that she was not impaired, but the footage shows how erratic and dangerous her driving was.
“She caused serious harm to an elderly couple who were walking on the pavement, and was lucky that she did not cause further harm.
“Drink-driving is one of the main factors in why people are killed or seriously injured on our roads.
“So we are pleased that the court rejected the appeal. It should be a warning to every drink-driver not to take the risk with their own safety and the safety of other road users.”
