NHS manager and her construction boss partner are BOTH banned from the road after they were each caught drink driving on the same night following evening out at the pub

• Linda Gillard, 59, and partner Michael Gill, also 59, had been drinking at the pub together that evening
• Gillard tested almost three times the alcohol limit whilst Gill was more than twice over

A couple who were both caught drunk at the wheel of their cars on the same night have been slapped with drink-driving bans. 

NHS manager Linda Gillard, 59, and partner Michael Gill, also 59, had been drowning their sorrows at The Bowling Green pub in Nantwich on the evening of November 16, after Gill’s construction business went bust – with estimated debts of £75,000.

Gillard tested almost three times the alcohol limit whilst Gill was more than twice over, after officers were called to their £650,000 cottage in the village of Faddiley, near Nantwich.

The pair had planned to get a taxi home from the pub, but Gillard decided to drive and reversed her Peugeot 107 into a stationary Mercedes SLK in a car park – narrowly missing a pedestrian – before driving off.

The pair had been drowning their sorrows at The Bowling Green pub in Nantwich on the evening of November 16, after Gill’s construction business went bust – with estimated debts of £75,000.

Linda Gillard, 59, tested almost three times the alcohol limit

Michael Gill, also 59, was more than twice over the alcohol limit 

She was said to be ‘highly intoxicated’ when officers arrived at the couple’s home with inquiries revealing she was uninsured to drive the Peugeot.

Gill failed his breath test when it was discovered he too had been driving his works Ford Transit tipper truck whilst drunk that same evening.

At Warrington magistrates court Gillard was banned from driving for 42 months after she admitted drink driving, driving without insurance and failing to stop after an accident.

Gill was banned from driving for 18 months at Crewe magistrates court last week after he also admitted driving with excess alcohol. 

The pair now face having to sell their property.

Gayle McCoubry, prosecuting, said at around 10.15pm Gillard was seen reversing her vehicle in a car park when she almost hit a pedestrian. 

She then hit a stationary Mercedes SLK before driving away and police traced her through the Peugeot registration number.

Tests showed Gillard had 89 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, the legal limit being 35mg. 

She had a previous conviction for failing to provide a specimen for analysis, for which she was given an 18 month driving ban and which expired one week prior to being stopped for drink-driving.

Gillard and Gill now face having to sell their property

Gill blew 72mg in breath. The circumstances of his arrest were not disclosed – but his partner’s lawyer said it is ‘unrelated’ to the hit and run incident

Gill blew 72mg in breath. The circumstances of his arrest were not disclosed – but his partner’s lawyer said it is ‘unrelated’ to the hit and run incident.

In mitigation defence lawyer Stuart Flood said: ‘This is a serious road traffic incident and my client recognises that. She finished work and went out with her partner in Nantwich and both had been drinking for some time.

‘Stupidly, she got into her car. She had discussed getting a taxi but her judgement was extremely affected by the amount of alcohol she had consumed. She does reverse and she had an accident.

‘The pedestrian was approaching her but fortunately, that pedestrian was not hurt in any way shape or form.

‘Her manner of driving was seriously impaired by the amount of alcohol in her system. About the insurance matter, she thought that she had done it online. 

‘She is approaching her 60th year and she has always been insured. I think it was a genuine oversight by her, thinking that she was insured.

Mr Flood added: ‘Her future role in the health service is very much at risk. Before, because she was working from home she was able to get through the last disqualification. She has responsibility in her role, she has a team of 70 under her.

‘It is very sad as she has worked all her life to help others. She is now in a situation where she needs help. Her situation is calling out for some probation involvement. I do feel that she is treading on the brink of major issues.’

Mr Flood said that Gillard and her partner were having difficulties due to family issues. 

‘It is not making life for her and her partner easy,’ the solicitor said.

‘His business has folded due to Covid. I know him and he is very, very good at what he does. Covid hit them badly. He also appeared in court for drink driving – but it was not related to this offence.

‘My client’s mental health has been suffering for a number of years. 

‘Her brother died when he was 21 and she has had to live with that and a very difficult upbringing. 

‘I think it is to her credit that she has gone through a lot without seeking help as she thought she could do it all herself.

‘She has papered over the cracks with drink. When she is down, as a lot of people do, she has sought solace in the bottle. She is in a very, very bad place at this time. It is no excuse. She is appalled at her behaviour.

‘Having just come off a ban she is now facing a lengthy ban. It will have a massive impact. She lives in a rural area. There is no way that she can carry out her position. I do not think that she can work remotely now.’

Gillard was fined £120 fine and ordered to complete a 12-month community order with a requirement that she participates with six months of mental health treatment. She was also made to pay £234 in costs and victim surcharge.

Gill was fined £1061 and ordered to pay £544 in costs and victim surcharge.

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