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RABJOHNS, ALEXANDRA

Case Reference: 17SR1930824

Case Details

Reference

17SR1930824

Court

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court - Courtroom 03

Magistrate

Mrs Drummond-Hill JP , Ms McArthur JP , Professor Smith JP

Hearing Date

28 May 2026

Time

10am

Hearing Type

Sentence

Court Type

Magistrates

Prosecutor

CPS-NECD

Case Details

Offence Details: | Fail to surrender to police / court bail at the appointed time In charge of vehicle whilst unfit through drink Fail to surrender to police / court bail at the appointed time Fail to answer to court / police bail as soon as practicable

Next Steps at this Sentencing

The sentencing hearing takes place after a defendant pleads guilty or is found guilty at trial. The judge or magistrates review the Sentencing Council guidelines, consider aggravating and mitigating factors, read any pre-sentence reports or victim personal statements, and decide the appropriate penalty.

Court Jurisdiction: Magistrates' Court - Magistrates' Courts handle virtually all summary offences (minor offences) and start the proceedings for serious offences. They are presided over by three volunteer Magistrates (advised by a legal advisor) or a single qualified District Judge. They do not have a jury.

UK Offence & Sentencing Guidelines

Driving Under the Influence (DUI / Excess Alcohol)

It is an offence to drive, attempt to drive, or be in charge of a motor vehicle on a public road or place after consuming so much alcohol or drugs that the proportion in your breath, blood, or urine exceeds the prescribed limit.

Sentencing: Dealt with in the Magistrates' Court. Penalties include a mandatory minimum 12-month driving disqualification (36 months for a second offence within 10 years), an unlimited fine, community service, or up to 6 months imprisonment.
Disclaimer: The legal definitions and sentencing guidelines above are for general educational purposes under English Law and do not constitute formal legal representation or advice. If you are facing criminal prosecution, consult a qualified criminal defense solicitor immediately.

Case FAQs & Procedure Guide

The court considers the severity of the offence, the defendant's level of culpability (blameworthiness), the harm caused, any previous criminal record (aggravating factors), and positive character references or early guilty pleas (mitigating factors).

Sentences can include discharges (absolute or conditional), fines, community orders (unpaid work, rehabilitation), suspended prison sentences, or immediate custodial sentences (imprisonment).

Yes. The defense can appeal against the severity of the sentence, and the prosecution can appeal (in some serious Crown Court cases) if they believe the sentence was unduly lenient.

For a single summary/either-way offence, magistrates can sentence a defendant to a maximum of 6 months in prison (or up to 12 months for multiple either-way offences), alongside unlimited fines and community orders.

Magistrates are trained volunteers from the local community who sit in panels of three. A District Judge is a qualified legal professional who sits alone. Both have the same sentencing powers.

It is an offence to drive, attempt to drive, or be in charge of a motor vehicle on a public road or place after consuming so much alcohol or drugs that the proportion in your breath, blood, or urine exceeds the prescribed limit.

Dealt with in the Magistrates' Court. Penalties include a mandatory minimum 12-month driving disqualification (36 months for a second offence within 10 years), an unlimited fine, community service, or up to 6 months imprisonment.

Interested in the outcome of this case? You can request more information by emailing the court directly using the Email Court button at the top of the page.

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