Lucy Mustard, a 27-year-old businesswoman from Islip, Northamptonshire, found herself in a precarious situation when she was stopped for drink-driving in her 160mph Porsche while desperately searching for a bathroom.
The incident, which took place in Macclesfield, Cheshire, has led to her being banned from driving for 19 months.
The Situation That Led to the Arrest
On February 28, 2025, Mustard was driving her Porsche Panamera D V6 Tiptronic along the Silk Road when police were alerted by a member of the public who noticed the car being driven erratically.
Officers quickly located the vehicle and stopped it.
Mustard was asked to provide a breath sample, which revealed a reading of 84 micrograms of alcohol per 100 milliliters of breath—more than twice the legal limit.
After being arrested, Mustard underwent further breath tests at the station, which confirmed her blood alcohol concentration.
The legal driving limit is 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 milliliters of breath.
It was later revealed that this was her first offence and she had no prior criminal record.
A Desperate Situation or a Poor Decision?
In her defense, Mustard’s lawyer, Miss Lisa Judge, explained that her client was not driving erratically.
The arresting officer did not mention any issues with Mustard’s driving.
Mustard had initially stopped at a local garage to use the restroom, but when she found the facilities closed, she continued her search for a suitable place to relieve herself.
The distress of the situation led to the public report that resulted in her arrest.
Judge also spoke about the significant stress Mustard had been under at the time.
She had been juggling her demanding career in the IT sector, commuting between London and Northampton, and caring for both her mother and brother, who were both dealing with serious health issues.
On top of that, Mustard was experiencing emotional stress from the end of a relationship, which had left her dealing with harassment.
While Judge acknowledged these pressures, she made it clear that they did not excuse her actions.
The Court’s Ruling and Sentencing
The court heard that Mustard felt immense remorse for her actions, as reflected in her guilty plea and personal letter expressing her regret.
Although the judge acknowledged her remorse and the difficult circumstances surrounding her life, Mustard was still sentenced to a 19-month driving ban.
She was also fined £621, plus £333 in court costs and a victim surcharge.
However, Mustard was offered the opportunity to attend a drink-driving awareness course, which, if completed, would reduce her driving ban by a quarter.
A Reminder of Accountability Despite Life Challenges
While the circumstances surrounding the case may have contributed to Mustard’s poor judgment, the court emphasized the importance of taking responsibility for one’s actions.
JP Annie Walford noted that while there was no history of offending or an accident in this case, the gravity of drink-driving and its consequences could not be overlooked.
Mustard’s case serves as a reminder that even in the face of personal challenges, safety on the road must remain a priority.