A woman driving with more than twice the legal alcohol limit flipped her car outside a Bartley Green pub, narrowly avoiding a serious injury to a man who fell while trying to escape the scene.
CCTV and mobile phone footage captured the dramatic moments when Sharon Gall reversed her Volkswagen Golf at speed outside the Cock Inn and collided with another vehicle, causing it to overturn.
The 32-year-old from Northfield pleaded guilty at Birmingham Crown Court to dangerous driving and drink-driving offences that occurred in the early hours of 17 February 2024.
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Court testimony revealed Gall had been ejected from the Cock Inn following an altercation linked to a domestic abuse situation. She was reportedly asked to leave because the alleged abuser was a regular at the pub.
Recorder Ben Williams KC sentenced Gall to 15 months in prison, suspended for two years, and imposed an 18-month driving ban. He remarked on the severity of the incident, noting the potential for grave injury or death to the man who narrowly avoided being crushed.
The judge acknowledged the complex circumstances, accepting that Gall initially sought refuge in her car and that her subsequent driving in reverse at speed was unplanned but nonetheless dangerous. “The context explains it but doesn’t excuse it,” he added.
The victim appeared to sustain a head injury but declined police interaction.
Following the incident, Gall underwent breath analysis at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, registering 171 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, more than double the legal limit of 80 milligrammes.
Defence barrister William Smout detailed Gall’s mental health struggles, citing emotional unstable personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and stress-induced psychosis. He attributed her actions to heightened emotional distress stemming from her domestic abuse experience and the confrontation at the pub.
Mr Smout also mentioned that Gall’s vehicle had been subjected to significant violence from others at the scene, possibly intended to force her out due to her intoxication.
As part of her sentence, Gall, who is currently unemployed, must complete 25 days of rehabilitation activity alongside a 90-day alcohol abstinence period.