Fine for woman trying to beat alcohol 'demon'

A case that will "tug at the heartstrings" of the most cynical of lawyers - that's how an advocate described the plight of an ex-finance worker at Douglas Courthouse last week. 

47-year-old Angela Julie Maddrell, of Main Road in Baldrine, appeared before Magistrates where she pleaded guilty to breaching a licensing order in December. 

That order - banning her from purchasing alcohol for 12 months - was imposed in August after she was caught drink driving. 

Just before 12pm on December 5th last year Maddrell purchased a bottle of vodka from the Co-op in Onchan. 

Police were alerted and in interview she told them it wasn't the first time she'd breached the order adding "I don't want anyone to get in trouble for selling it to me". 

During sentencing Maddrell's advocate told the court she'd worked in the finance industry for 29-years saying "the ever demanding pressures placed upon her resulted in her developing an alcohol problem". 

He said she was now receiving help adding "this is a woman who's doing everything possible in her power to beat this demon". 

Fining her £100 and ordering her to pay costs of £50 Magistrates wished her well - they also extended her licensing ban for a further six months.