Amber Hobson obtains suspended sentence at Hull Crown Court

Amber Hobson represented a defendant who entered guilty pleas to Dangerous driving, Assault by beating, Damaging property, Damaging property, two counts of assaulting an emergency worker, drive a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence and Fail to provide specimen for analysis. The defendant had a bad record for driving and assaults, including driving under the influence of alcohol in 2021. She was warned ahead of her sentence to expect custody and make preparations. 

The brief facts of the offending are that the defendant was seen in Minton Street in Hull by residents, arguing with an unknown male. She attempted to drive but was intoxicated. One witness attempted to stop her and protect his own car, but was assaulted by the defendant who called him a “muppet”. The defendant again tried to drive, damaging cars and driving the car at the witness. She eventually left driving the wrong way down Clough Road. On arrest the defendant kicked two police officers and was verbally abusive. She then refused to give a sample of breath for analysis. She was, by her own admission, drunk at the time of the offence. 

Ms Hobson set out the defendants mitigation, pointing to the guidelines for the imposition of custodial sentences and identifying that all the factors in favour of a suspended sentence were met. The defendant had 5 children who faced the prospect of losing their family home and their sole carer. 

Recorder Sellars remarked “Before I heard the mitigation I had no doubt I would be sending you to prison. Ms Hobson on your behalf has just persuaded me not to send you to prison”. The defendant received a 17 month and two week custodial sentence, which was suspended for 18 months. She has to complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and engage with a 120 day alcohol abstinence requirement. 

Amber was instructed by Liberty Tindall-Moore at Williamsons Solicitors