First Brighton and Hove woman arrested in drink-drive crackdown appears in court

The first woman arrested in Brighton and Hove as part of the Christmas crackdown on drink-driving by Sussex Police has appeared in court.

Chipo Maposa, 46, of Elm Drive, Hove, appeared before Brighton magistrates yesterday (Thursday 12 December) charged with failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

She was arrested after a silver Vauxhall Astra was seen swerving in Church Road, Hove, before hitting a lamp post in First Avenue at about 12.25am on Sunday 1 December.

The court bailed Maposa until next Thursday (19 December).

Five other people have been charged with drink-driving or related offences in the Brighton and Hove area since the start of the annual Christmas and new year campaign.

Anita Officer, 51, of Wicklands Avenue, Saltdean, is also due to appear at Brighton Magistrates’ Court next Thursday after being charged with failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

She was arrested in Bannings Vale, Saltdean, at about 7.15pm on Wednesday 4 December after a witness called Sussex Police to say that a car had driven into a tree.

Officer was released on police bail.

Hannah Lawrence, 19, was arrested after officers saw a vehicle being driven erratically at 2am on Tuesday 3 December in Crowhurst Road, Brighton.

Lawrence, of Manor Road, Lancing, was charged with drink-driving and was released on bail. She is also due to appear at Brighton Magistrates’ Court next Thursday.

Justin Ashby, 46, of Langdale Road, Hove, was arrested at about 3.45pm on Sunday 1 December at The Level in Brighton after a vehicle was seen being driven on a footpath.

He was charged with driving while unfit through drink and was also released on bail to appear before Brighton magistrates next Thursday.

Elizabeth Moore, 27, was arrested shortly before 2am on Thursday 5 December after officers stopped a car in South Coast Road, Telscombe Cliffs.

Moore, of Downsview Road, Seaford, was charged with drink-driving and released on bail to appear at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 2 January.

Douglas Ancell, 34, was arrested in Carden Avenue, Brighton, at 7.45pm last Saturday (7 December) after officers stopped a car being driven in the dark without its lights on.

Ancell, of Hillside Way, Brighton, was charged with drink-driving and also released on bail to appear at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 2 January.