Couple disqualified from driving after car crash in Harnham

Natalie Akehurst, 29, of Bishops Court, collided with a roadside barrier on Wavell Road on November 12 but instead of calling the police she got out of her Nissan Qashqai and started walking away.

Onlookers called the police as Akehurst's boyfriend Justin Hayes, 37, got into the driver's seat intending to drive off.

Officers arrived shortly afterwards to arrest Hayes and made him complete a breathalyser test.

Akehurst was found close to the scene of the crash and made full admissions to police officers.

William Griffiths, mitigating, said Akehurst told officers: "You will have to take me along too because I was driving."

The crash took place in Wavell Road. (Image: Google Maps)

When breathalysed, Akehurst blew 67 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of her breath which is 32 more than the legal limit for driving.

Hayes successfully completed a roadside breath test but failed to provide an adequate specimen when he was required to at Gable Cross Custody Suite.

Sarah Brown, mitigating, said Hayes' "error" was not telling the police that he had asthma.

Mr Griffiths told Salisbury Magistrates Court on Friday, December 8, that Akehurst would risk losing her job at Harnham Golf Club if she were to lose her driving license.

The court also heard how the pair had no previous criminal convictions and pleaded guilty to the offences at the earliest opportunity.

Magistrates disqualified Akehurst for 20 months and ordered her to pay £633.

Hayes was also disqualified and won't be able to get behind the wheel of a car for 12 months. He must pay £435 in fines and costs.