SoulManX
The Inspector!
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TERRITORY police were "gobsmacked" when they collared an allegedly drunk and unlicensed mum driving while breastfeeding her five-month-old baby.
Just moments earlier, the 19-year-old mother had allegedly nearly crashed into a police car as she pulled out of a pub car park.
Police said they hit the brakes to avoid a collision with the woman's Holden Commodore station wagon - and saw her drive off with the baby attached to one breast.
They pursued her, pulling the woman over a short distance later. She was allegedly so drunk she was unable to give them a breath sample.
Apart from driving while disqualified, she was also allegedly driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle.
Territory Duty Superintendent Jamie Chalker said police were "absolutely outraged" that someone would choose to do something so dangerous.
"A five-month-old child was placed at significant risk, and had the police officers not been able to brake to avoid the collision, then the outcome could've been even more horrific," he said.
The near-crash happened on Saturday night, just before 7pm, when the woman allegedly pulled out of the Gap View Hotel in Alice Springs.
Supt Chalker said this was the first time he had ever heard of a mother being caught driving while breastfeeding.
"It just challenges the mind that people can choose to be so flippant about road laws and people's lives - particularly their young children," he said.
"Not to add to the fact that she was also disqualified from driving, driving in an unregistered and uninsured motor vehicle, and the child wasn't appropriately restrained.
"That's the absolute box trifecta of mistakes to make while driving."
The baby was placed in the care of relatives.
The young mum was charged with failing to provide a breath sample, driving while disqualified in an unregistered and uninsured motor vehicle, failing to give way, and driving with an unrestrained child.
She was bailed to appear in Alice Springs Magistrates Court on April 23.
Just moments earlier, the 19-year-old mother had allegedly nearly crashed into a police car as she pulled out of a pub car park.
Police said they hit the brakes to avoid a collision with the woman's Holden Commodore station wagon - and saw her drive off with the baby attached to one breast.
They pursued her, pulling the woman over a short distance later. She was allegedly so drunk she was unable to give them a breath sample.
Apart from driving while disqualified, she was also allegedly driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle.
Territory Duty Superintendent Jamie Chalker said police were "absolutely outraged" that someone would choose to do something so dangerous.
"A five-month-old child was placed at significant risk, and had the police officers not been able to brake to avoid the collision, then the outcome could've been even more horrific," he said.
The near-crash happened on Saturday night, just before 7pm, when the woman allegedly pulled out of the Gap View Hotel in Alice Springs.
Supt Chalker said this was the first time he had ever heard of a mother being caught driving while breastfeeding.
"It just challenges the mind that people can choose to be so flippant about road laws and people's lives - particularly their young children," he said.
"Not to add to the fact that she was also disqualified from driving, driving in an unregistered and uninsured motor vehicle, and the child wasn't appropriately restrained.
"That's the absolute box trifecta of mistakes to make while driving."
The baby was placed in the care of relatives.
The young mum was charged with failing to provide a breath sample, driving while disqualified in an unregistered and uninsured motor vehicle, failing to give way, and driving with an unrestrained child.
She was bailed to appear in Alice Springs Magistrates Court on April 23.
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