Businesswoman stopped for drink-driving in 160mph Porsche while caught short (2025)

Lucy Mustard said she was in 'desperate need of relief'

A young businesswoman was caught drink-driving while she searched for somewhere to take a comfort break in Cheshire.

Lucy Mustard, 27, was pulled over in her 160mph Porsche in Macclesfield - 125 miles from the home she shares with her parents in a sleepy Northamptonshire village.

She told officers she had been in 'desperate need of relief' after trying to use the toilet at a garage, which had been closed.

But Mustard tested more than twice the alcohol limit, Crewe Magistrates Court heard last Thursday (March 20).

The court heard that police were alerted to Mustard's Panamera D V6 Tiptronic car as it was being driven along the Silk Road in Macclesfield on Friday, February 28.

Diana Przemecka, prosecuting, said: “A report was made to police by a member of the public that a driver was driving their vehicle erratically. Police subsequently located that vehicle and it was caused to stop.

"The defendant was the driver and was asked to provide a sample of breath for a roadside breath test and she complied with that request.

''The result of the roadside sample was 84 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millitres of breath. Subsequently the defendant was cautioned and arrested and transported to custody where the full evidential breath testing procedure commenced.

"The defendant complied with the procedure and provided two evidential breath samples, the lower reading being 79mg. Prior to entering a guilty plea today, the defendant had no previous convictions on her record."

The alcohol limit for driving is 35mg in breath. Mustard admitted drink driving, with her mother in court to support her.

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In mitigation, Mustard's barrister Lisa Judge said: “There is no evidence before this court of any form of erratic driving. The arresting officer who conducted the roadside procedure made absolutely no mention of erratic driving when she was following the defendant.

''She had gone to use the facilities at a local garage close to where she was stopped. Those facilities were closed however and due to a desperate need she attempted to go nearby for relief and as a result of that a call was made. ''

Miss Judge added: ''Lucy Mustard comes before you with a hitherto unblemished character and in attendance with her is her mother.

“One of the reasons why Miss Mustard is before the court is because of the stress and anxiety that she has been subjected to for a protracted period of time.

''She was feeling certainly pressured by the level of work she was subjected to but was continuing to pursue that on a normal basis and has not sought assistance. She was just trying to get through it.

“She then received notification that her brother was seriously injured and needed surgical procedures, thereafter requiring home care. Being committed to the family, she did just that.

"Then she got a call to say that her mother had broken her back and that her mother requires home care. Lucy Mustard responded and did step up to the mark to assist the family to attend to their care.

"She currently commutes between London and Northampton to care for her mother and brother. That care continues to this day.”

Miss Judge said that Mustard was also dealing with the fallout of a relationship that had ended. She added: “The young man became emotionally involved to such an extent that he began to harass her which caused her considerable upset, but of course that is no excuse for getting into a motor vehicle and driving with that level of alcohol.

"You are dealing with a young lady who normally has extremely good judgement. But on this particular occasion not. The guilty plea indicated not only her remorse but also her shame. From her letter she has indicated the remorse and shame that she feels

Her parents live in a remote area and all the locals have come to know what happened. The shame rests heavy on her.”

"You are dealing with no previous convictions, you are dealing with palpable remorse, you are dealing a young lady who is working full time and caring for her family.

"For a woman under so much significant stress you are entitled to take into account her relatively young years and the fact that she is of hitherto unblemished character."

Mustard, of Acorn Close, Islip, near Kettering, was banned from driving for 19 months and fined £621, with £333 in costs and a victim surcharge.

She was offered a place on the drink drive awareness course which if completed will reduce her ban by a quarter.

JP Annie Walford said: "We could have considered a community penalty but you have no offending history, there was no accident and there is no evidence of bad driving."