A Lurgan woman who collided with a traffic light after drink driving fled the scene but was later caught in possession of ketamine and Ecstasy.
The 24-year-old’s barrister told court the defendant panicked but would always have been identified as the car involved was registered in her name.
Victoria Walker, of Queen Street, pleaded guilty to failing to stop, failing to report, failing to remain, possession of Class A, possession of Class B and driving with excess alcohol at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Prosecution outlined that on October 19, at 3.30am, police received a report of a hit and run on North Street, Lurgan.
Officers arrived to find a Vauxhall Corsa which had mounted the kerb and collided with traffic lights.
Witnesses claimed to have seen a female run from the scene and police located the defendant, who matched the description, nearby.
Walker identified herself as the owner of the Corsa involved in the collision and was subsequently arrested.
Following this a search was conducted and during this police located a clear bag containing white powder and a single orange tablet.
Police noted that the defendant smelled strongly of alcohol and that she tried to get away from officers.
Whilst in custody a breath test gave a reading of 82mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.
During interview, Walker told police the powder was ketamine and the orange tablet was Ecstasy.
Defence barrister Damien Halloran stated: “On the night in question she had fallen asleep after drinking at a friend’s. She woke up and knew she had to work the next day so took a chance.
“She was not travelling a long distance and accepts she must have nodded off.”
He continued: “The ketamine and ecstasy in her possession were for personal use but she was not under the influence of any drugs that day.
“She panicked after the collision but the car was registered in her name and she was always going to be identified.”
Walker was disqualified from driving for 12 months and was ordered to pay a fine of £850, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 20 weeks.
The defendant was certified for the drink driving course which would see her ban reduced to one of nine months upon completion.
