Evening Standard
A member of a notorious south London crime family crashed into a bus full of passengers while three times over the alcohol limit after an all-day drinking session, a court has heard.
Louise Sonnex, 40, knocked back rum in the morning and joined more friends in the afternoon, who helped her finish a dozen cans of lager.
She then jumped behind the wheel of a friend’s car and careered into a busy road, where she struck the double-decker and bounced into railings, knocking herself out.
At Bexley magistrates’ court, Sonnex admitted drink-driving and careless driving in Evelyn Street, Deptford, on June 22. She also pleaded guilty to driving without a full licence or insurance, and possessing cannabis resin.
Her brother, Dano Mad Dog Sonnex, 27, is serving life with a minimum 40-year tariff for the murder of French students Gabriel Ferez and Laurent Bonomo. The 23-year-olds were tortured and stabbed 244 times in New Cross in 2008.
Her father Bernard, 60, has at least 26 convictions and has been to jail six times. Another brother, Bernie Sonnex Jnr, 41, has been in prison at least 10 times for at least 34 offences.
Louise Sonnex was given a five-year sentence in 2009 for grievous bodily harm, after attacking her father’s girlfriend with a golf club. She also has a conviction for wounding, for glassing a woman.
Prosecutor Thandi Lubimbi told the court yesterday: “It was 7pm when the defendant came out of a junction, without paying attention, drove into the side of the bus and crashed into railings.”
Sonnex was seen hanging out of the door of the Peugeot, having smashed her head on the dashboard. A passenger and an off-duty paramedic gave first aid. She was arrested, and gave a reading of 105 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35.
Her lawyer, who refused to give her name to reporters, told the court: “The night before, she had been drinking. When she woke up went to her friend’s house and they had drinks at 10am. She had a few rums. The owner of the vehicle pulled up and was invited in ... they all had drinks into the late afternoon.
“[The car owner] invited them to her house and Miss Sonnex remembers having a roast dinner and more drinks.” The lawyer said “a dozen empty cans” were on the table. “She doesn’t remember anything ... until the collision.”
The court heard Sonnex had suffered mental health and drug and alcohol abuse problems. She was bailed until December 11 for a pre-sentence report, and given an interim disqualification.
A 18-year-old woman has admitted causing the death of a cyclist as he participated in a charity ride while she was drink-driving.
Bethany Mackie struck Christian Smith from behind and did not pull over until more than 400 yards up the road, police said.
The 38-year-old cyclist was struck as he completed the last leg of a 248 mile ride in the Kent and Sussex area for mental health charity Mind.
The father of three, from Boughton Aluph, Kent, died when his bicycle was hit by Mackie’s blue Peugeot 206 car on the A2990, near Chestfield, on March 22 - just two hours from the finish.
More than £82,000 has been raised on Mr Smith’s JustGiving webpage since the fatal crash - eclipsing his £1,000 target figure.
Mackie, who was more than twice the legal drink-drive limit at the time, admitted causing death by dangerous driving and driving with excess alcohol at Canterbury Crown Court today, Kent Police said.
Inspector Martin Stevens, of the Kent Police roads policing unit, said afterwards: “Christian Smith was a keen cyclist and was raising money for a cause close to his heart.
“His death, caused by this tragic and avoidable incident, is another reminder to everyone of the dangers of drink-driving.
“Mackie will have to live with the consequences of her actions for the rest of her life. Our thoughts are with all those involved in this case, but of course especially Christian’s grieving family, at this time.”
He added: “The message about the dangers of drink-driving is getting through to motorists but there is still a minority who ignore the warnings. Unfortunately in cases such as this, it is an innocent person whose life is lost.
“Mackie’s breath contained 73 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, more than twice the limit.
“Our message is that any amount of alcohol affects your ability to drive, so the only safe option is not to drink alcohol if you plan to drive.”
Mackie, of Beltinge Road, Herne Bay, will be sentenced on December 19. She has been handed an interim driving ban and freed on bail.
