Two of Kirsty Jones’ children, aged two and three, were in the back seat of the car without seatbelts on when police pulled her over
Kirsty Jones, of Abbeyvale Drive, Belle Vale, leaving Liverpool Crown Court(Image: Liverpool Echo)
A mum who drove with two toddlers in the back of her car while more than four times over the legal alcohol limit has sparked public outrage after she was spared jail. Kirsty Jones, 36, walked free from court despite admitting to drinking “a bottle of wine and numerous vodka oranges” before getting behind the wheel.
The incident happened just before 10pm on June 11 this year. Jones, in a Vauxhall Corsa, was seen turning off Naylorsfield Road onto Naylorsfield Drive, Belle Vale, by a police officer, who had been alerted to her driving.
Prosecutor Paul Blasbery, at Liverpool Crown Court today, October 14, said: “He was looking out for what was described as a Vauxhall Cross as a result of a call that had been received from a member of the public to Merseyside Police, expressing concern about this vehicle.”
Jones, of Abbeyvale Drive, Belle Vale, was pulled over by the officer. Mr Blasbery said: “He could see the two children in the rear. Both were unrestrained with no seatbelts on.
“There was a man in the passenger seat. This lady, Jones, was driving. The officer states when he opened the door, he was overwhelmingly hit by the smell of liquor. There was vomit on the floor and on Jones’ jeans.
“He asked her to turn the engine off. He helped move her from the vehicle and placed her in the police vehicle. He described her as being extremely unsteady on her feet. She was slurring her words.
“He asked for a sample of breath to be given, which she duly provided. Because she was showing all the signs of drunkenness, she was repeating herself and at one point said she wasn’t sorry for what happened.”
Jones was taken to a police station, where a further sample showed 138mg of alcohol on her breath – almost four times the legal limit of 35mg.
Mr Blasbery said: “When she was interviewed when she sobered up, she admitted all the offences for which she was charged. She went on to say she was sorry. She was crying and she was remorseful.”
Jones pleaded guilty to drink driving, two counts of being drunk in charge of a child, and two counts of driving with a child not wearing a seatbelt. She also admitted breaching a suspended sentence which she was given in April 2025 for conspiracy to commit theft.
Megan Cox, defending, asked Judge Gary Woodhall not to activate the mum-of-five’s suspended sentence. She said: “Your Honour has read the defendant has had difficulties in the past few years in terms of violence in a previous relationship, and clearly her alcohol misuse and her mental health had an impact on her offending behaviour,” adding Jones had “shown the court she’s willing to change and she’s committed to improving herself.”
Sentencing, Judge Woodhall said: “This is serious offending. The children had a real risk of harm and therefore ordinarily I would have no hesitation that appropriate punishment can only be justified by an immediate custodial sentence. That said, I have reflected carefully on everything I have read about you and the circumstances in which your offending took place.”
Accepting her mitigation, he said: “I conclude there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation. A custodial sentence would clearly have an impact on your son who is attending college. An immediate custodial sentence would affect your other children who are in the process of being returned to live with you.”
Jones was sentenced to 14 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, 20 rehabilitation days, and a 12-month alcohol treatment requirement. He also extended her existing suspended sentence by three months.
But many have reacted to the sentence with fury through social media. Responding to the ECHO’s Facebook post, Roisin Wallace said: “Why did she get away with drink driving with children in the car?”
June Jones said: “Unbelievable joke….The so-called sentences these days. And you wonder why there is so much crime.”
Kenneth Black added: “Totally disgusting. I have just read what a joke. Four times over the limit, she got 14 weeks in jail but suspended for 12 months and 20 days of rehabilitation days but nothing about being banned from driving a car.
“She could have had a car crash and done harm to herself and children in the back seat.”
Tracy Walker wrote: “Should not let her get away with it, not doing her any favours.”
Alan Dowsett said: “Free to carry on and perhaps to do it again?!”
Ann Atkins said: “Disgusting behaviour. How can she not be locked up? She could have killed the babies.”
Pauline Whitehead said: “She should be banned from driving; she’s not even thinking of her children’s lives. She should have had a jail sentence.”
Dawnie Daffodil said: “Drink driving with your children in the car. There is no excuse!”