Postie's drink and drive error could cost her job

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/News/Postie ... 162420.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A POSTAL worker could face losing her job after a driving a matter of feet while slightly over the drink-drive limit.

Lydia Capewell, 28, of Wellington Street, Burton, jumped into the driver’s seat after her boyfriend got out of the car following a row, Burton Magistrates’ Court heard.

She drove around a roundabout near Morrisons, in Branston, to pick him up again, but was spotted by off-duty police officers who had seen her ‘unsteady on her feet’ in the nearby McDonald’s restaurant.

She was breathalysed and was found to have 82 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, just two over the legal limit of 80.

Capewell was charged with drink driving and now faces the possibility of losing her job as a postwoman after being banned from driving for 12 months.

Addressing magistrates at the Horninglow Street court, her solicitor John Skinner said: “Given the low reading and the circumstances I anticipate you will have some sympathy for Miss Capewell.

“As a result of her boyfriend’s actions, she drove a short distance to pick him up before being stopped by officers. She was two over the legal limit. She has never been in court before.

“She works in a post office and she doesn’t know what is going to happen with that job.

“Because of the nature of the work she does, that may well be it.”

But prosecutors argued that Capewell was not in a fit state to drive, had broken the law and must face the automatic driving ban that comes with testing above the limit.

Emma Thompson, prosecuting, said: “Two police officers, off duty and not in uniform, were in the McDonald’s restaurant. They saw this defendant and her partner and saw the female was clearly intoxicated and unsteady on her feet.”

Capewell pleaded guilty to drink driving and as well as losing her licence was also fined £200 and ordered to pay costs of £105.

[clashcityrocker]

Emma Thompson, prosecuting, said:

Wasn't she in Nanny McPhee?

[Ahebban]

Much Ado About Nothing ...

[R@YAL F@IL]

So why should she lose her job?

[Lounge Lizard]

Much Ado About Nothing ...

Yes, and they allow 2mph over the speed limit which can be just as dangerous.

[aposter]

Much Ado About Nothing ...

Yes, and they allow 2mph over the speed limit which can be just as dangerous.

Really?

If she was stupid enough to drive after drinking then sorry, tuff

[north london driver]

Much Ado About Nothing ...

Yes, and they allow 2mph over the speed limit which can be just as dangerous.

Really?

If she was stupid enough to drive after drinking then sorry, tuff

she could always become a manager then she could work from home.

[Lounge Lizard]

Much Ado About Nothing ...

Yes, and they allow 2mph over the speed limit which can be just as dangerous.

Really?

If she was stupid enough to drive after drinking then sorry, tuff

she could always become a manager then she could work from home.

“She works in a post office and she doesn’t know what is going to happen with that job. Because of the nature of the work she does, that may well be it.”
A driving job in a Post Office ? That's a first.

[DGP1]

Looks like she tried to get off by using the blood test route instead of the usual breath test.............I have no sympathy, fire her because we don't need even more dangerous people on the road.

[rehabron]

If Lydia Capewell job is with RM and not the PO which Rich Guttridge of the Burton Mail doesn't know the difference and failed to research his article before going to print and if with RM and her contract of employment clearly shows her job description as a postwoman then she is more than likely to retain her job as driving is not an integral part of her duties as it is with other work colleagues. However if her job description in her contract of employment is postwoman/driver then she will be on a sticky wicket.
Due to the marginal recording of her BAC ( Blood Alcohol Consumption) 82 mg/ per 100 millilitres of blood and the prosecution will prosecute over 80mg/per 100 millilitres of blood then I hope that at the time of the offence that she took the option to have the specimen of her blood sent to an approved independent centre for analysis for comparison.

[Darren Bent]

As long she can get to work and do walking duties there is no reason she will lose her job.