Golf star, 27, caught drink-driving after downing vodkas and ‘swerving across the road’ while three times over the limit
A GOLF star has been caught drink-driving after downing vodkas and “swerving across the road” – while three times over the limit.
Charlotte Leathem, 27, from Nether Alderley in Cheshire, narrowly missed the kerb after she drove her Ford Puma out of the Couch and Four pub car park at around 10.40pm on May 18.
When stopped by cops, Leathem – who had drunk three vodkas with colleagues – was said to be unsteady on her feet and slurred her words during a breathalyser test.
The test found that she had 106 micrograms of alcohol in her breath – three times over the 35 mcg limit.
Leathem, tipped to be golf’s next female star, was banned from driving for 26 month after admitting to driving with excess alcohol.
She was also ordered to complete a twelve-month community order involving 80 hours of unpaid work and to pay £213 in costs and victim surcharge.
Crewe Magistrates’ Court heard that Leathem could lose her job as an assistant manager at the prestigious 120-year-old Hale Golf Club near Altrincham in Greater Manchester.
Leathem, who first played golf at the age of four, became a professional in 2018.
She hit holes in ones at several competitions and broke records and the Wilmslow and Styal golf courses.
The star also played on Ladies European Tours before her drink-drive conviction.
‘FOOLISH DECISION’
Prosecutor Yvonne Dobson said: “The officers stopped the vehicle. The defendant was in the driver’s seat.
“Whilst dealing with the defendant the officer noted that she was slightly unsteady on her feet and slurring her words.
“When she was asked for a roadside breath test the defendant admitted that she’d had a drink earlier.
“The officer completed the roadside test, which the defendant complied with.
“‘It was a positive reading of 106, as such she was arrested and taken into custody where the drink drive procedure was commenced.
“The defendant was of previous good character, she has no previous convictions. She has now lost this.
“She works at Hale Golf Club. She has not been there particularly long.
Dobson added: “She had three vodkas, poured rather than measured amounts. She knew she was risking it.
“She lives in a very rural area and she wanted to get home and made the decision to drive.
“She recognises that it was a foolish decision and she recognises the risks.”
JUDGE’S WARNING
Leathem’s solicitor Claire Aldridge said: “The defendant works at Hale Golf Club.
“She’s the assistant manager which involves lots of nights. Getting to that job now may prove impossible.”
The golfer was offered a drink drive awareness course – which would reduce her ban by a quarter.
Chair Sarah Pochin said: “I am sure that you have been warned it will result in a disqualification.
“The fact that this reading was high, it passes what we call the community threshold.
“It falls into what we call a community order because of the high reading.
“Do not risk driving. It is just not worth it. If you do you will come back to court.”
It comes after a teenage drunk driver tried to swap seats with her passenger to dodge blame after crashing her car into a fence.