'Thoroughly disreputable' Derry woman jailed after 85mph Foyle Bridge chase
Elizabeth Crumlish, who has 190 prior convictions, refused to accept the prosecution's facts
A 'thoroughly disreputable' woman has appeared at Derry Magistrate's Court charged with a number of driving offences.
Elizabeth Crumlish (50) of Beechwood Crescent in Derry was charged with dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, driving while unfit through drink or drugs, driving without insurance, failing to stop at the scene of an accident, failing to report an accident, failing to provide a specimen for police and possession of Class C drugs.
On June 14 last year, Crumlish was said to have reversed into another vehicle and driven away. It was noted that her speech appeared to be slurred at the time of the accident.
Police later saw her vehicle and turned their sirens on to get her to stop.
Crumlish proceeded to drive on, driving at 85mph across the Foyle Bridge with police in pursuit and moving across different lanes at the other side until getting caught between other vehicles.
Police had to forcibly remove her from the car and Class C drugs were found when she was searched.
She then refused to provide a specimen for police.
Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that Crumlish had an all-Ireland record, with 190 previous convictions across various locations.
He noted that she had a history of issues with domestic violence and health difficulties, telling the count that her last driving offence was in 2014.
He also said that she 'didn't think any damage had been caused' by the crash.
Deputy District Judge Philip Mateer told Crumlish that she would've received a lesser sentence had she pleaded guilty, but said instead that she was 'not prepared to accept' the facts established by the prosecution.
He said that her record showed that she was a 'thoroughly disreputable person' and sentenced her to five months in custody.