This is life is not an unusual one, when you regularly attend the Magistrates Court.

Let’s call her Eve. Eve is appearing at court for driving under the influence of cocaine. She has no previous convictions

She is very smart, obtained good grades and studied accountancy at University. She worked for 15 years as an accountant until health and issues now mean “She can do nothing.” The impact of her job loss on her mental health and self esteem cannot be over emphasised. Eve self describes as a failure.

Her happy childhood fell apart when home became volatile, at 5. Father had an affair, which led to verbal arguments. He left home. Mum brought new boyfriends into the home. Mum had 4 more children with different men. Eve was responsible for looking after the children when mum went drinking.

At age 13 Mum meets a violent partner who assaulted Mum, her and all the children. She told Grandma, who told Social Services, who deemed home suitable to remain in. For which the partner beat her with a belt.

She rarely sees mum. She feels she was never loved as a child, she resents the repsonsiblity placed on her as. child. She was rejected by dad, when she tried to contact and reconcile with him. Her step siblings have all been “in and out of prison”

She was in a relationship for 10 years ended through her partners infidelity. She had a fling and became pregnant. Her son’s father never saw his son.
She had another relationship with her youngest son’s father, for 8 years. This became “violent and controlling” triggered by his alcohol addiction. She says he was “bitter” arguments took place in public and in front of the children. The police were involved. They split up.

In 2019 she saw a new partner. He violently assaulted her and knocked her unconscious, perforating her ear drum and triggering seizures. He reported her, alleging an injury. On her arrest she had multiple injuries, which she said were from a “fall.” Following the incident he stalked her for 2 years. Slashed her car tyres and vandalised her car. Social services became involved and her children were placed in care.

Her eldest son now lives with her. The youngest with his father.

Her health; type 1 diabetes, fibromyalgia, tinnitus (post assault) seizures.
Depression and anxiety (prescribed mertazapine and propranolol) self harm and suicidal ideation.

She appeared before the court for driving a car under the influence of cocaine. She had taken this at a party. There were no aggravating features.

She was punished lightly by the court who imposed a conditional discharge

Eve is on bail for further offences of drug driving.