A MOTORIST who had taken medication for a back injury before driving, was “unfit through drugs” when she crashed into a stationary vehicle.

Police attended a two-vehicle road traffic collision on Mitchell Avenue in Workington on July 15, Workington Magistrates’ Court heard.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said the driver of a grey Seat had collided with a blue VW vehicle.

The driver was Gemma Flynn, 38, who stated she had driven into the back of a stationary car.

Ms Fee said the defendant appeared to be under the influence, due to her demeaner. She was arrested.

A nurse spoke with Flynn and she stated she had driven too soon after taking her medication for a back injury.

A blood test showed she had diazepam and a number of other drugs in her system but they were all under the legal limit.

Ms Fee said the defendant was clearly under the influence and shouldn’t have driven so soon after taking her medication.

Flynn, of Calder Crescent, Cleator Moor, pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle while unfit through drugs.

John Cooper, defending, said the drugs were all under the prescribed limit.

He said: “It’s the combination of them that makes her unfit. They are all under the limit. They all appear to be prescription drugs.

“She tells me she is on a prescription for back injury. The car is a mobility vehicle. She uses that to get to appointments. She struggles to walk any distance. She can’t get to a bus stop.

“A disqualification is going to have a massive impact. She has got no real support. She has got four children to support.

“Police were talking to her at the roadside and one of her friends said, ‘don’t forget to say about your prescription’.  She had passed all the roadside tests.”

Flynn was banned from driving for 36 months and fined £140. She must also pay £85 costs and a £56 victim surcharge.

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