Palliative care nurse who drunkenly crashed her Land Rover avoids jail

Palliative care nurse who drunkenly crashed her Land Rover while three times over legal limit avoids jail after telling court she was grieving death of one of her patients

• Helen Ashton was described by onlookers as ‘looking stoned out of her head’
• The palliative care nurse, 52, crashed her Land Rover three times over drink limit
• But she avoided a jail sentence after JPs took pity on her and heard about rehab 

A palliative care nurse who crashed her Land Rover over three times the alcohol limit has been spared jail after telling magistrates she was grieving the death of a patient.

Helen Ashton, 52, was described by onlookers as ‘looking stoned out of her head’ after she lost control of her 4×4 vehicle and hit a kerb in the Peak District.

Ms Ashton had been on her way to speak to the dead patient’s partner at the time of the crash, Stockport magistrates court was told.

When tested she registered 119 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the legal limit of 35 mg.

Helen Ashton was described by onlookers as ‘looking stoned out of her head’ after the crash

The palliative care nurse, 52, from Derbyshire, crashed her Land Rover three times over limit

It emerged she had been drinking heavily after arriving home from work following the death of the unnamed patient who was a long time friend. She then went to see the patient’s partner to provide some comfort.

Ashton, who lives on a farm in Chapel-en-Le-Frith, Derbyshire, has since quit her job after 25 years in the profession and is now working in a pub kitchen.

She had faced jail after admitting drink driving but was sentenced to a 12-month community order after her family clubbed together to pay for her to attend a rehabilitation clinic.

Nick Smart, prosecuting said: ‘On August 12 last year, police were alerted by a local resident that the defendant had mounted the kerb in Station Road in Dove Holes, Derbyshire.

Ms Ashton avoided a jail sentence after Stockport JPs took pity on her and heard about rehab

The care worker, who lives on a farm, had been grieving the death of a patient and had drunk

‘She was seen behind the wheel of her 4×4 Land Rover Freelander and described as looking ‘stoned out of her head. The resident also noted that the defendant had clearly been drinking as she appeared confused and kept saying that she had lost her dog. She also said out loud that she had hit the curb although it is not known how she initially lost control.’

‘When police arrived at the scene they found the defendant behind the wheel of the car. Officers gave her a roadside breathalyser test, after which they promptly arrested her.

‘She fully complied with officers in interview and readily admitted that she had been over the limit when she got behind the wheel. The defendant spent the night in custody before being released on unconditional bail the next day.’

Ashton has no previous convictions and would have had a clean license save for three points she got for speeding.

Ms Ashton had faced jail after admitting drink driving but was sentenced to a 12-month community order after her family clubbed together to pay for her to attend a rehabilitation clinic

The JPs at court wished Ashton well in her rehabilitation before releasing her from the dock

In mitigation defence lawyer Rebecca Wrack said her client had become dependent on alcohol due to mental health issues and ‘past trauma.’

She added: ‘On the day of the incident, a patient that the defendant had known for 18 years died when in her care.

‘After this tragic news, she left work and went straight home where she started to drink heavily with a friend of hers. Sometime later she received a call from the partner of the patient she lost asking her to go around and give them further counsel about the deceased. She foolishly answered the call and got behind the wheel in her intoxicated state.’

‘The defendant was fully cooperative with the police and gave a guilty plea at the earliest possible opportunity. After the incident, the defendant sold her car and has not drunk since.

‘She also recently quit her long-term job as a nurse and now works in a pub kitchen. Her family have clubbed together to get her on an intensive 28-day rehabilitation course, which will begin today if she is released.’

Ashton was also ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid work and pay £199 in costs. She was banned from driving for 28 months.

In sentencing, Chairperson Ian Shepherd said: ‘We are sympathetic to your circumstances but this was a high reading and the offence puts you right on the edge of a custodial sentence.

‘However, considering your pre-existing arrangements, we believe a community sentence with no further rehab requirements is the best course of action..’

The JPs wished Ashton well in her rehabilitation before releasing her from the dock.

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