Lily Woodward, of Regent Street in Sandown, appeared before the IW Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, October 14, where she pleaded guilty to two counts of drug driving, as well as driving without insurance and without a licence.
Prosecutor Lauren McConnell told the court that police spotted Woodward behind the wheel of a Ford Mondeo on Royal Street in Sandown, at around 2.35pm on July 28.
Mrs McConnell said officers saw her pull out into the road and quickly reverse back – with no headlights on.
The court heard that a vehicle check revealed the car was uninsured, and Woodward was unlicensed, with the 20-year-old suspected of being under the influence.
A roadside DrugWipe test returned positive, and a blood sample taken later at the police station showed she was twice the legal limit for both cannabis and MDMA (ecstasy), magistrates were told.
Mrs McConnell said Woodward had been disqualified from driving for 15 months in December 2023, for driving without a licence and drug driving.
Her latest offence came just four months after that ban had expired.
Defending, Nick Muir said his client had been at home with friends when one of them needed medication from their house “just up the road.”
He said Woodward made the quick trip – a journey of around five minutes – to collect it.
The court was told the Ford Mondeo was “in a poor state,” and Woodward had borrowed the vehicle, unaware its headlights were not working.
Mr Muir added that Woodward had taken MDMA and cannabis three days earlier at a music festival, but had used no drugs in the days immediately before the incident.
Magistrates ordered a pre-sentence report and adjourned the case until December 19.
Woodward was granted unconditional bail but given an interim driving disqualification.
She faces a minimum three-year ban when sentenced, due to committing multiple drug-driving offences within ten years.
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