Leanne Yip was over the limit when she swerved into oncoming traffic
A mum who downed three bottles of wine in the early hours of the morning later got behind the wheel and crashed into a 65-year-old nan. Leanne Yip, 41, swerved into oncoming traffic as she drove along Lorenzo Drive, Norris Green, causing another car to crash into the passenger side of her Toyota Aygo, where her 17-year-old son was sitting.
The incident occurred at around 1.40pm on May 19 this year. Yip, of Colmore Road, was driving in the direction of Broad Lane when she attempted to turn into the car park of the New Life Revival Church, cutting across traffic that was travelling in the opposite direction.
Her car was hit by an oncoming vehicle, causing it to mount the pavement and crash into Karen Croker, who was walking by. The 65-year-old suffered serious injuries, including a broken wrist and fractures to her pelvis, spine, ribs, cheek and eye socket.
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Police attended and noticed Yip had a “glazed look”, and she admitted she had drank alcohol the night before and in the early hours of the morning. A roadside breath test provided a reading of 69mg of alcohol – the legal limit being 35mg per 100 millilitres of breath. Two further tests, taken at St Annes police station at 4.10pm, provided readings of 48mg and 50mg.
Yip pleaded guilty to drink driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving. She appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today, October 15, for sentence.
In a victim statement, Ms Croker said: “Since the collision I feel like my life has been completely turned upside-down. Everything has changed for the worse.” She described how she spent four days in hospital after the incident, which “disfigured” her face and terrified her grandchildren.
She said: “I resorted to crawling up and down the stairs as my mobility was so low. I struggled to live a normal life without the help of others. I have always been a hard worker, and prior to the collision I held two jobs, however now I’m unable to work, creating a huge void that’s impossible to fill.
“I feel like a different person to who I was. Before, I was an active person with two jobs. Now I feel like I will never be the same person I was before. The impact this has had on my mental health is just as bad as my physical injuries, if not worse.”
Jeremy Rawson, defending Yip, said: “This is a 41-year-old woman with no previous convictions who has entered a guilty plea. Not only did she enter a guilty plea but, when interviews, she admitted the offences. She didn’t seek in any was to lessen her responsibility.
“It’s reported that she was absolutely horrified at what she has done. She’s not criminally minded person. She’s not supportive of crime, but she finds herself in the position she’s in because of her own carelessness, lack of attention and the way she drank.”
Calling on the judge to suspend Yip’s sentence, he said: “She’s a woman with no previous convictions, a mother, a person who is spoken highly of by people who are themselves held in high regard. She has a son for whom she has responsibility.
“It will have a significant impact if she goes into custody.” He added: “She finds herself in an intolerable position. The prospect of custody fills her with fear and horror.”
The judge, Mr Recorder McBride, said: “You have heard from Miss Croker’s victim statement that this has turned her life upside down, as I’m sure you well appreciate. Initially her grandchildren were so upset by her physical injury that they ran away scared.
“She has a loss of independence. She has not returned to work as she undergoes treatment, which involves physiotherapy, and she has been affected not only physically but mentally.
“It’s a tragedy to you that you have lost your good character due to this. You had been drinking late into the morning – three bottles of wine. You then chose to drive and you did so with alcohol still in your blood – inevitably so, given the amount you drank.
“I have heard matters on your behalf. I have seen a number of references, all who testify to your good, kind character, your voluntary work, your charity work and your family. That’s all to your credit. I have read the pre-sentence report and you are clearly remorseful.”
He sentenced Yip to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered her to carry out a three-month alcohol abstinence programme, 15 rehabilitation days, and 200 hours of unpaid work. She was also disqualified from driving for two years, after which she must pass an extended retest.
