Four times the limit - with kids in her car

Josh Warwick

A BOOZED up care worker is today facing a three-year road ban after she took to the road with children in her car while more than FOUR times the drink drive limit.

Camille Henderson reversed into a parked car after she tried to take her young niece and nephew to the park.

The 26-year-old faces being banned from driving and 240 hours of community service - despite justices considering jailing her.

She told South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court she had turned to alcohol for comfort after her older brother Wayne died three years ago.

Henderson, of Stratford Road, Ipswich, was arrested on August 22 in Garrick Way after crashing her Citroen Saxo.

When officers arrived, she was found crying on the roadside. The court was told she was unsteady on her feet and her speech was slurred.

A breath test revealed she had 143mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg.

Diane Infanti mitigating, said Henderson, who pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing, had been “shocked” at the level of the breathalyser reading.

She said her client had been “a rock” after brother Wayne died.

Mrs Infanti added: “She supported her siblings and parents but neglected herself. She stopped eating and began to consume alcohol to help her sleep and mask her pain.”

The court was told Henderson, who has no previous convictions, had since been prescribed anti-depressants and had managed to kick her drinking habit.

Chairman of the bench Bob Skinner said the breathalyser reading had been one of the highest magistrates could remember seeing.

He added: “You have a lot of people on your side from the paperwork we have seen. You clearly accept your responsibility for this.”

Henderson was ordered to pay �35 towards court costs.

Speaking after the case, Henderson said she wanted to move on with her life.

She said: “It was just an unfortunate incident. I just want to forget about it.”