A WOMAN’S three-year driving ban has been lifted after she emotionally pleaded to court that she needs to care for her disabled mother.

Heather Bletcher, aged 28, was convicted in June 2019 at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court after she was convicted of driving a vehicle under the influence of an illegal drug, namely cannabis.

The court previously heard how Bletcher had crashed her Mercedes vehicle at approximately 6pm on December 10, 2018.

Officers had noticed her pupils appeared to be ‘dilated’ and asked her to undertake a roadside drugs test. She failed after nine grams of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, a cannabinoid found in cannabis was found in her blood, which exceeded the legal limit of two grams.

Bletcher was disqualified from driving for 36 months and issued a 24-month community order.

Bletcher appeared in court again to appeal for the removal of her driving disqualification because she needed to be able to drive her disabled mother to her appointments.

She explained how arranging taxis to take her mother to various doctor and hospital appointments were becoming difficult and expensive.

Bletcher, of Beaminster, told the court: “My mother has various disabilities and since moving down here, we found it hard to get to her appointments.

“She has appointments weekly in hospitals very far away and pays for taxis and she’s unable to use the bus.”

Bletcher, who lives with her mother, explained that her appointments are now taking place at Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester or in Axminster, but are still some distance away.

Chair of the Bench, Louise Dutton, asked Bletcher how she had addressed her relationship with drugs since being convicted in 2019.

An emotional Bletcher said: “Since losing my father and not driving, I haven’t been able to go anywhere apart from the village.

“The responsibility that I have of my mother outweighs any social activity I have and with Covid-19 pandemic, lockdown, it was beneficial for me.

“I started a new life down here and I would like to make my mum’s life easier.”

After hearing the facts, magistrates lifted her driving disqualification and she was able to resume driving.

Mrs Dutton added: “We are happy to remove your disqualification and make your life easier.”

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