Kirsty Jones, 36, was sentenced to 14 weeks in prison, with the sentence suspended for a year, after pleading guilty to all charges
A drink-driving mum has been spared jail after being caught almost four times over the legal limit – with two toddlers unrestrained in the back of her car.
Kirsty Jones, 36, of Abbeyvale Drive, Belle Vale, drove erratically through local streets after downing “a bottle of wine and numerous vodka oranges” at a pub, Liverpool Crown Court heard.
A police officer spotted her in a Vauxhall Corsa turning from Naylorsfield Road onto Naylorsfield Drive just before 10pm on June 11, after being alerted to her driving. When he pulled Jones over, he “was overwhelmingly hit by the smell of liquor”, Prosecutor Paul Blasbery told the court on Tuesday.
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Mr Blasbery explained: “He was looking out for what was described as a Vauxhall cross as a result of a call that had been received from a member of the public to Merseyside police, expressing concern about this vehicle.
“They had informed the police that the driver had drank a bottle of wine and numerous vodka oranges and got into the driver’s seat of the car and there were children in the rear. There were indeed children in the rear of that vehicle. The children were aged three and two.”
The prosecutor continued: “He (the officer) could see the two children in the rear. Both were unrestrained with no seatbelts on. There was a man in the passenger seat. This lady, Jones, was driving. The officer states when he opened the door he was overwhelmingly hit by the smell of liquor. There was vomit on the floor and on Jones’ jeans.
“He asked her to turn the engine off. He helped move her from the vehicle and placed her in the police vehicle. He described her as being extremely unsteady on her feet. She was slurring her words.
“He asked for a sample of breath to be given, which she duly provided. Because she was showing all the signs of drunkenness, she was repeating herself and at one point said she wasn’t sorry for what happened.”
A breath test at the police station revealed 138mg of alcohol – almost four times the legal limit of 35mg, Liverpool Echo reports. Jones later admitted to all offences, showing remorse, apologising and crying during the interview, Mr Blasbery said.
She pleaded guilty to drink driving, two counts of being drunk in charge of a child, and two counts of driving with a child not wearing a seatbelt. She also admitted breaching a suspended sentence given in April 2025 for conspiracy to commit theft.
Defending, Ms Megan Cox asked Judge Gary Woodhall not to activate Jones’ suspended sentence. She said: “Your honour has read the defendant has had difficulties in the past few years in terms of violence in a previous relationship, and clearly her alcohol misuse and her mental health had an impact on her offending behaviour.
“The purpose of the court is not just to punish. Of course there needs to be some punishment. But what the court can see is that the defendant, following this offence, is doing everything she can to try and turn her life around.
“She’s engaging with Change Grow Live (alcohol and drugs service). She had had two phone appointments already. She attends counselling every Monday. She’s also had a change of her medication which she said has really been assisting her. She’s engaging with her GPO, she’s engaging with counselling. She’s had a referral to the Fiona Project (mental health services).
“The defendant is taking every opportunity that has been offered to her. She’s trying her best to engage with social services. There has been an overwhelming amount of support offered to her.
“We’re four months down the line from these offences. Jones has shown the court she’s willing to change and she’s committed to improving herself.”
Sentencing, Judge Woodhall said: “This is serious offending. The children had a real risk of harm and therefore ordinarily I would have no hesitation that appropriate punishment can only be justified by an immediate custodial sentence. That said, I have reflected carefully on everything I have read about you and the circumstances in which your offending took place.”
Accepting her mitigation, he said: “I conclude there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation. A custodial sentence would clearly have an impact on your son who is attending college. An immediate custodial sentence would affect your other children who are in the process of being returned to live with you.”
Jones was sentenced to 14 weeks in prison, with the sentence suspended for 12 months. She must complete 20 rehabilitation days and a 12-month alcohol treatment programme Her existing suspended prison sentence was also extended by three months.