Hawarden woman fined for drug driving and ketamine possession

Alexandra Duffy, of Lower Aston Hall Lane in Hawarden, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old had previously been convicted of drug driving (having been over the legal limit for ketamine), as well as possession and attempted possession of ketamine.

Police attended her home after she was seen colliding with a vehicle while pulling out of a car park on March 21.

When officers spoke to her, she told them she had problems with substance misuse and had taken ketamine.

She said she could remember driving to Queensferry to use tanning beds, but not colliding with a vehicle.

A roadside sample was taken, but as those only show up cannabis and cocaine she was taken to a police station for further testing.

It was confirmed she was over the limit for ketamine.

Then on June 7, police received reports of concerns for Duffy, who was "clearly intoxicated" outside in the rain.

They attended and took her to hospital, seizing ketamine as they did so.

Andrew Holiday said: "She openly accepts she has had a ketamine addiction issue for two to three years and in 2020 she entered rehab.

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"She thought that was going to be the magic wand, but that's not how addiction works of course.

"She has found herself in difficulties, and has been relapsing."

Mr Holiday said his client is "working to try and get herself in a position where she is drug free."

Deputy District Judge Owen Gerallt Jones said the matters were made more serious by a similar previous motoring conviction three years ago.

Because of that, he banned the defendant from driving for three years.

She must also pay a £300 fine for drug driving, a £50 fine for ketamine possession and £205 costs, as well as a £34 victim surcharge.

No separate penalty was imposed for the attempted possession offence.

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