Drink-driver who hurled homophobic abuse towards a police officer avoids jail
Patricia Power was more than double the drink driving limit
By Steve Brown
Words: Steve Brown
A drink-driver who hurled homophobic abuse towards a police officer has been spared jail.
Patricia Power, 50, from Chester, had driven her neighbour to the shop as a favour but when she returned she got into an argument with another male which led to the police arriving at her property, the court heard.
Power was reportedly more than double the legal alcohol limit for driving and drove without a licence, The Chester Standard reported.
According to prosecutor Ayra Ali, Power had kicked PC Hackett and hurled a homophobic slur towards him while he was arresting her on suspicion of drink driving.
Addressing the homophobic slur, defending solicitor Howard Jones told the court: “It was a derogatory comment but there was nothing to suggest the officer was homosexual and there was no intention by Miss Power to offend him.
“It was said in the heat of the moment. She’s very remorseful about how she reacted.”
While appearing in Chester Magistrates Court yesterday (February 24), Power was handed a 12 weeks prison sentence, suspended for 18 months and has been banned from driving for three years.
She was also ordered to a pay a total of £872 in court costs and compensation.