ECHO readers have reacted with shock after a former Miss Liverpool who crashed her car and lied about it kept her licence.
Victoria McInerney celebrated yesterday as she walked from Liverpool Crown Court with the ability to drive despite telling police her Mercedes had been stolen when she actually drove it into a lamppost herself. The sales director and pilates instructor caused thousands of pounds of damage when she smashed into traffic lights on a main road in the early hours of January 21 this year.
She left the scene in a taxi and called the police and reported the car had been stolen from her boyfriend’s address. It was only when police returned later having investigated further that McInerney, who was crowned Miss Liverpool in 2003, admitted her initial account was untrue.
READ MORE: Former Miss Liverpool crashed Mercedes, fled scene and reported car stolen
She later said she "panicked" because she "didn't want to lose her job".
McInerney was handed a 12-month community order with 80 hours of unpaid work and a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 10 days. She was also handed seven penalty points, but was allowed to remain on the roads after pleading "significant hardship" due to the impact any disqualification would have on her work.
Many readers commenting on the article and on the ECHO’s Facebook page said McInerney’s initial actions were dangerous and could have caused a more dangerous accident, with some saying they felt the lies she then told police warranted a tougher punishment.
Commenting on the ECHO’s Facebook page, Bill Roberts said he thought the 38-year-old “should be banned from driving” while Leslie Rees agreed and said the overall punishment was a “disgraceful penalty”.
The crash also saw extensive damage to the traffic lights on Poulton Road and many believed she should be forced to pick up the entire bill for those repairs. McInerney was ordered to pay more than £2,000 compensation to Wirral Council as well as a court cost and a victim surcharge.
Kenneth Peppin said: “ So who picks up the bill for the thousands of pounds worth of damage she caused?” Referring to the way McInerney reacted after leaving court, he added: “No air would be getting punched if she had pay for it all.”
Judge Louise Brandon, who oversaw the case, said actions like McInerney’s undermined the justice system - but added that she had no previous convictions and a record of positive contributions to society.
She said: "It's clear you are someone who is held in high regard by anyone who knows you. You are of impeccable and positive good character. You deeply regret what you did. In panic, you didn't think through the consequences of your actions.
"You have had time to reflect and taken responsibility. I accept there were other factors in play, and that it was not all about wanting to avoid responsibility. Offences of this nature undermine the very nature of the criminal justice system.
"But I very much doubt that we will be seeing you in this court again. You have never been before the courts before, and you don't pose a risk to the public in my judgement."
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