Woman who spat at police was more than three times drink-drive limit

A drink-driver who spat at two police officers and a supermarket worker has been convicted in court.

Police were called to Morrisons in Queens Road, Hastings, on 17 December following concerns for a woman who had repeatedly stalled her vehicle in the car park.

Two members of staff came to her assistance – one was slapped in the face and the other was spat at.

Officers arrived on scene and transported the defendant to custody, where she kicked and spat at one officer, and spat at a further officer.

41-year-old Dominika Wisniewska, 41, unemployed, of St Helens Park Road, Hastings, gave an evidential sample of 118 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml breath; more than three times the legal limit of 35 micrograms.

She was charged with drink-driving and four counts of assault, and sentenced in court on 9 April.

Wisniewska is among the latest six motorists to be convicted in court following our Christmas crackdown on drink and drug-driving.

A total of 279 people were arrested during the operation, which ran from 1 December to 1 January.

Of these, so far 76 have been convicted. These are the latest individuals to have lost their licence:

• Emmanuel Lipton, 52, a landlord, of Eaton Place, Brighton, was arrested in Black Lion Street, Brighton, on 7 December and charged with driving with 61 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml breath. At Brighton Magistrates’ Court on 27 March, he was disqualified from driving for 17 months and given a 12-month community order, requiring him to complete 100 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £85 costs a £114 victim surcharge.
   
• Dominika Wisniewska, 41, unemployed, of St Helens Park Road, Hastings, was arrested in Queens Road, Hastings, on 17 December and charged with driving with 118 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml breath, two counts of assault and two counts of assaulting an emergency worker. At Hastings Magistrates’ Court on 9 April, she was disqualified from driving for 28 months and given a 12-month community order. She was also ordered to pay £250 compensation.
   
• Oliver Roney, 25, an asphalter, of Harlands Road, Haywards Heath, was arrested in Downsview Drive, Wivelsfield, on 23 December and charged with driving with 44 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml breath. At Brighton Magistrates’ Court on 27 March, he was disqualified from driving for 12 months. He was also fined £120, and ordered to pay £85 costs a £48 victim surcharge.
   
• Dan Britton, 43, a vehicle hirer, of Tinsley Green, Crawley, was arrested in Northgate Avenue, Crawley, on 26 December and charged with failing to provide a specimen of breath for analysis. At Crawley Magistrates’ Court on 4 April, he was disqualified from driving for 20 months and given a 12-month community order, requiring him to complete 90 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £200 costs a £114 victim surcharge.
   
• Franes Fisher, 79, retired, of Forest Dene, Jarvis Brook, was arrested in Crowborough Hill, Crowborough, on 30 December and charged with driving with 46 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml breath. At Brighton Magistrates’ Court on 2 April, she was disqualified from driving for 36 months. She was also fined £438, and ordered to pay £85 costs a £175 victim surcharge.
   
• John Jewell, 25, a chef, of Norman Road, Tunbridge Wells, was arrested in Church Road, Polegate, on 1 January and charged with driving with 54 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml breath. At Hastings Magistrates’ Court on 18 March, he was disqualified from driving for 12 months. He was also fined £92, and ordered to pay £85 costs a £37 victim surcharge.

In keeping with previous years, we will continue to publicly identify anyone convicted of drink or drug-driving as part of this campaign to raise awareness of the issue and to act as a deterrent to others from committing the same offence.

The consequences of drink or drug-driving could include:

• Killing or seriously injuring yourself or someone else;
• A minimum 12-month ban;
• An unlimited fine;
• A possible prison sentence;
• A criminal record, which could affect your current and future employment;
• An increase in your car insurance costs;
• Difficulty travelling to countries such as the USA.

If you know someone is driving while over the limit or after taking drugs, call 999.

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or report it online. www.crimestoppers-uk.org