Drink Drive Psychiatrist Disqualified for Five Years

A Gloucestershire psychiatrist has been disqualified from the roads for five years for drink driving.

Deborah Lynn Staite, 49, of Little Toft, Butterow West, Stroud, admitted driving a motor vehicle when the amount of alcohol in her breath exceeded the prescribed limit when she appeared at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court on Friday, 26th June 2020.

This is an offence contrary to section 5(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and has a maximum penalty of 26 weeks' custody and/or a fine at level 5 (unlimited) on summary conviction.

Staite also admitted charges of driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and driving without insurance.

The court heard that the psychiatrist's Vauxhall Viva collided with an oncoming Skoda on the early evening of Tuesday, 21st January 2020.

Prosecutor Graham Dono outlined events: "Both drivers were subjected to a roadside breath test and Staite's result indicated she was more than three times over the drink-drive limit.

"She had a reading of 116 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 microgrammes."

Mr Dono told the court that Staite had a previous conviction for drink driving from 2015. That being the case she was subject to a mandatory minimum disqualification period of 3 years.

Given the proportion of alcohol in her breath, the starting point for Staite's offence is a medium level community order, although there are clearly some aggravating features.

Clare Buckley, mitigating, said: "She was due to be sentenced in March but because of the coronavirus crisis her case has been adjourned till now.

"She has been using her time well since then and is attending three Alcoholic Anonymous meetings a day on the internet. She is extremely well supported by her colleagues.

"She is doing everything she can to get well again. She is now in a much better mindset than she was at the beginning of the year."

Ms Buckley told the court that Staite, who is already subject to restrictions on her ability to practise, had been warned that she was now likely to lose her job. The psychiatrist was, according to Ms Buckley, channeling all of her efforts into getting well again.

Addressing Staite, District Judge Joti Bopa Rai said: "The effects of this conviction will have a devastating effect on your career and your family life.

"I appreciate that a change of circumstances put you in this position. However you admit you've had a relapse and have tried to mitigate your actions during the COVID-19 crisis by seeking help.

"It's not going to be an easy path back to health, but I understand that the organisation which supports your profession is also helping you to get better."

Staite was sentenced to 18 weeks' custody suspended for 12 months, with an alcohol treatment requirement and up to 20 days' rehabilitation activity.

She was disqualified from driving for 5 years and ordered to pay £128 victim surcharge and £85 towards prosecution costs.

This is a very sad tale. Staite is clearly a very intelligent lady, who has worked very hard and done immeasurable good for the benefit of her patients. However, there is no justification for driving a vehicle whilst unfit through drink, thereby putting herself and other innocent road users and pedestrians in danger.

I hope, given the passage of time, she is able to address her drinking and put her medical skills and expertise back to good use. The very best of luck to her.