A MUM-OF-FOUR who rammed her car into a pub six times during a drunken rage has avoided prison.
Jennifer Wells drove a white Vauxhall Freelander into the wall of the Griffin Inn in Eccleston shortly after midnight on January 8 this year.
Liverpool Crown Court heard she had been involved in an argument with her husband, who was staying at the pub and hotel. Prosecutors described the incident as a "revenge attack".
Wells drove the car into the wall six times before leaving the car park. She returned about a minute later, by which time police officers had arrived. Officers found her in the passenger seat.
The damage to the building was estimated at £18,188. Repairs were needed to the outside and inside walls, and the building was moved out of alignment. A radiator in a hotel room also fell away from the wall and began leaking water.
CCTV of incident played to court
Prosecuting barrister Louise Santamera played CCTV footage of the incident to the court. The footage showed the car being driven into the wall outside the area where another guest was staying.
Wells was arrested on suspicion of driving while unfit through alcohol. She denied driving the car and refused to provide a breath test.
The court heard she became irate and resisted arrest. She began a tirade of abuse, called one officer a “bully and a c***” and repeatedly shouted “c***” towards the hotel.
Wells was first placed in a police car but was moved to a van because of her aggressive behaviour.
Officers took her to the floor to prevent her from injuring herself.
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Wells was taken to Belle Vale custody suite, where she was asked to provide a specimen. She said she wanted to speak to a solicitor and refused to give a breath sample. She later gave a “no comment” interview.
Wells, of Stuart Avenue, Liverpool, had pleaded guilty to criminal damage and failing to provide a specimen for analysis at an earlier hearing in a magistrates’ court.
The court heard Wells, who had no previous convictions, had struggled with her mental health.
Defendant was 'at very low ebb'
Defending barrister Carmel Wilde said Wells had never appeared before a court. She referred to letters and references from drug and alcohol support services which spoke positively about her.
Ms Wilde said: “She is visibly distressed and ashamed of her actions, which is why she pleaded guilty at the very first opportunity. She is somebody not used to being in this situation.”
She said the offence had happened during a particularly stressful and emotional situation. Wells had been in a years-long marriage but had discovered her husband was having an affair.
Ms Wilde said: “In 2024 she lost her mother and uncle on the same day, she was asking for therapy.”
She added: “It is clear this defendant was at a very low ebb.”
The court was told Wells had also experienced factors affecting her from childhood. She needed spinal surgery, suffered from fibromyalgia and had been referred for cancer treatment.
Ms Wilde said Wells’ car insurance had paid for the repairs to the Griffin Inn. Wells had also offered to pay an excess of £2,100.
Ms Wilde said: “It has been very distressing for the hotel and she apologises to them.”
She added: “This is a defendant who is very sorry for what she has done and ashamed in the cold light of day.”
Judge suspends prison sentence
Sentencing Wells, 41, judge Recorder Anna Pope KC said the offence was so serious that only a prison sentence could be imposed.
The judge said: “This clearly demonstrates an intention to cause very serious damage to property and a high risk of injury to a person.”
She said Wells knew there were bedrooms at the side of the building facing the road. Recorder Pope also found there had been an element of revenge and said Wells’ level of responsibility was high.
The judge said the offence was made more serious because Wells had been under the influence of alcohol.
Recorder Pope said: “There are factors that reduce seriousness. You had no previous convictions, you have genuine remorse, and I must take into account your mental disorder.”
She added: “You have demonstrated determination to take steps to address your behaviour.”
The judge said Wells had shown another side to her character. Family members had described how she held the family together after the deaths of her mother and uncle.
She also noted that her going to prison would have an impact on the defendant's four children, the youngest of which is 17.
Recorder Pope said: “Your marriage was starting to break down and you became addicted to alcohol.”
She added: “I am satisfied your offending is out of character.”
The judge said Wells would have received a 16-month prison sentence for criminal damage if the case had gone to trial. That term was reduced by one-third to 46 weeks because of her guilty plea.
Recorder Pope decided that the reasons for suspending the sentence outweighed the reasons for sending Wells to prison. She suspended the 46-week term for two years.
She also imposed a concurrent eight-week suspended sentence for failing to provide a specimen.
Wells must complete 15 days of rehabilitation activity and take part in the Building Better Choices programme. She must also pay £1,000 in compensation.
The court disqualified her from driving for 30 months.
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