'Thoroughly disreputable person’ who crossed lanes at 85 miles per hour on Derry's Foyle Bridge sentenced

Elizabeth Crumlish (50) of Beechwood Crescent in Derry was charged with dangerous driving, failing to stop for police and driving while unfit through drink or drugs.

Crumlish was further charged with driving without insurance, failing to stop at the scene of an accident and failing to report an accident, and also with failing to provide a specimen for police and possession of Class C drugs.

The case came before the Magistrate’s Court in Derry on Friday.

During the hearing, Crumlish was said to have reversed into another vehicle and driven away on June 14 last year.

It was noted that her speech appeared to be slurred at the time of the accident, the court was told.

Officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland later saw her vehicle and turned their sirens on to get her to stop. Crumlish proceeded to drive on, driving at 85mph across the Foyle Bridge with police in pursuit and moving across different lanes at the other side until getting caught between other vehicles.

Police had to forcibly remove her from the car and Class C drugs were found when she was searched. She then refused to provide a specimen for police.

Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that Crumlish had an all-Ireland record, with 190 previous convictions across various locations.

He noted that she had a history of issues with domestic violence and health difficulties, telling the court that her last driving offence was in 2014. He also said that she 'didn't think any damage had been caused' by the crash.

Deputy District Judge Philip Mateer told Crumlish that she would've received a lesser sentence had she pleaded guilty, but said instead that she was 'not prepared to accept' the facts established by the prosecution.

He said that her record showed that she was a 'thoroughly disreputable person' and sentenced her to five months in custody.