Drunken woman who could not drive crashed van into four parked cars

Prosecutor Lorraine Cooper told Darlington Magistrates’ Court today (Tuesday, March 4) that 30-year-old Kelly McVay had been drinking with her sister before returning home to Allan Street on the night of February 17.

McVay took the keys to a Mercedes Sprinter van parked outside which belonged to her boyfriend’s boss and drove it round the corner into Lucknow Street, hitting four cars along the way.

She abandoned the vehicle and returned home on foot where the police later arrested her.

A breath test revealed McVay was more than three times over the legal drink drive limit and in court she pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, driving with no licence and insurance, drink driving and failing to stop after an accident.

Mrs Cooper described McVay’s actions as “bizarre” and told the court that the mother-of-three, who has failed her driving test six times, had no previous convictions and could not explain to police why she took the van.

Mrs Cooper said: “She stated that didn’t really remember what happened due to her intoxication, so she doesn’t know why she drove the vehicle.

“She was nervous driving a small car and this was a van with ladders on the top.”

Mitigating, Graham Hunsley admitted the offences were “inexplicable”.

He said: “It is a long time since she had any driving lessons and she had effectively given up.

“She had never driven a vehicle as large as the van and she had no reason to drive anywhere on the evening.”

Mr Hunsley explained that McVay, of Allan Street, had recently emerged from an abusive eight-year relationship which had led to court injunctions against her former partner.

He said that McVay, who sobbed in court, had worried herself sick over her court appearance.

He added: “She is clearly a very nervous, very remorseful and very distressed woman.”

Magistrates said they needed to know more about McVay before sentencing and adjourned the case until March 27 for a probation service report.