Find local news in Kent

Home   Folkestone   News   Article

Pregnant woman Becky Smith, of South Road, Hythe, swore and spat at officer when caught drink-driving

00:01, 11 September 2015

A drunken pregnant woman led police on a car chase at twice the speed limit – before spitting three times at the arresting officer.

Foul-mouthed Becky Smith, 27, was stopped at the wheel of her Peugeot after the high-speed pursuit still clutching an empty bottle of Desperados, a tequila-flavoured lager.

After refusing to get out of her Peugeot, she told PC John Evans: “What are you doing? I’ve done f*** all wrong.”

Children under the age of 18 have been arrested for a range of offences. Stock image
Children under the age of 18 have been arrested for a range of offences. Stock image

She then spat in his face twice, and a third time at the back of his head, before being arrested.

But the mum-to-be, of South Road, Hythe, escaped an immediate jail sentence after pleading guilty to driving dangerously, assaulting the PC and drink-driving.

Judge James O’Mahoney told her: “What you did in spitting was disgusting. You should be deeply ashamed of yourself.”

He deferred sentencing for three months after hearing she is now receiving help for her addictions.

Prosecutor Bridget Todd told Canterbury Crown Court how officers had gone to her home “for social services reasons” at 6pm on June 9.

She said: “Officers saw the defendant briefly at the property and 30 seconds later she got into her vehicle and other officers were alerted, who saw the Peugeot near a petrol station on the A259 near Seabrook.”

Ralph was more than twice the legal limit
Ralph was more than twice the legal limit

Ms Todd said PC Evans was 200 metres behind her car and saw Smith accelerating away at 60mph in a 30mph area at Sandgate High Street towards Sandgate Hill on the wrong side of the road.

Smith carried on at 60mph on the wrong side around a bend, avoiding a keep left bollard, and on past Coolinge Lane near Folkestone School For Girls.

Ms Todd said: “The Peugeot went past the Sandgate Road Surgery and it was clear to the officer that it wasn’t going to stop for anything and the driver was showing no regard for anybody.”

Smith went over the roundabout at Castle Hill Avenue, across the turning into Bouverie Road West, and into the junction with Earls Avenue and then towards Grimston Avenue.

The prosecutor said: “There, the car hit the kerb and on to the pavement, where he saw a tyre burst and he saw smoke and dust.

The case was heard at Canterbury Crown Court
The case was heard at Canterbury Crown Court

“In Coolinge Lane it collided with an oncoming Rover, causing it to spin in the road, but the Peugeot continued on until the officers forced it to stop safely.”

It was then PC Evans found Smith drunk at the wheel, clutching the bottle of alcohol and refusing to get out because “she wanted a fag”.

The judge heard that Smith was “genuinely shocked” after hearing the extent of her dangerous driving, described by him as “one of the worst cases I have ever heard”.

Her lawyer, Kerry Waitt, said she had little recall about how she drove, prompting the judge to retort: “I am not surprised, drinking Desperados in the car.”

Smith, who has been given an interim driving ban, was told if she didn’t give 100% effort in tackling her problems during the next 12 weeks, she would be jailed “as sure as night follows day”.

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More