Mother-of-three who overcame 28-year drink and drugs battle to found charity is banned from driving after police saw her picking up mobile phone while at red light
A mother-of-three who turned her life around after a 28-year battle with alcohol and drugs has been banned from driving following an incident where she was seen picking up her mobile phone while stopped at a red light. Cassandra Williamson, 41, who founded a charity to support recovering addicts and helps others struggling with mental health, was caught by a police officer after her phone fell from its holder while she was driving through Liverpool. Although she was stationary at the lights, her actions led to a driving ban, as it was revealed she already had six penalty points on her licence from a previous offence.Despite pleading for her licence to be reinstated under 'exceptional hardship' rules, magistrates refused, although they acknowledged her significant community contributions.At Sefton magistrates court, Williamson, of Tuebrook Liverpool was disqualified from driving for 12 months under the totting up procedure after she was given a further six points on her licence for using a mobile phone behind the wheel.Williamson had become addicted to drink after she started boozing at 13 claiming she was an 'outcast' at school. She went sober in 2022 after losing her children now aged 20, 17 and 15 due to her habit and she was subsequently chronicled her addiction on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok in a bid to help others - and claims to have 35,000 followers.She currently leads a support group for others suffering with mental health issues, called the 1% Club, which arranges walks and cold water therapy at a marina, and organises retreats to Wales. Cassandra Williamson, 41, founded a charity to support recovering addicts and helps others struggling with mental health Williamson had become addicted to drink after she started boozing at 13 claiming she was an 'outcast' at schoolShe is also involved with a number of other groups supporting people with mental health issues, as well as a homeless outreach, and is involved in a community hub in Walton, Liverpool.The incident occurred on May 31 2024 when Williamson who had previously been banned from the road in 2021 for drug driving was out on an errand after getting her driving licence back the previous July.'My phone fell out of the holder at the lights and I picked it up and put it back in,' she told the court. ' But a police officer seen it and took a photograph.' I explained I had just got my licence back and I started to cry but he said 'You are getting banned' and drove off. I know I should not have been on the mobile phone. Even though it fell in my footwell and I was at a set of lights. You cannot touch it. I was taking it out of the footwell and was putting it back.'She added: 'I do a training course on a barge in Liverpool docks with people from the 1% community but I am struggling to get people to and from it. A driving licence would allow me to go and pick them up and get them involved in the community but at moment there is so much I cannot do. On Saturday we took 10 people to a retreat but it was a nightmare trying to get people there as only two of us had a car.'If I had a car it would allow me to do so many more things in the community. It is absolutely detrimental not being able to drive and do things. I won't be able to take women suffering from domestic violence and domestic abuse relationships and take them to retreats in Wales. I won't be able to do anything I want to moving forward with the 1% community.'I have spent my life in victim mode and I have spent my life relying on other people trying to fix my problems. I need a car to be able to help other people and help people recover like I have.'Mrs Williamson's son Joseph, 20, who is training to be a surveyor said in a character reference: 'Over the past four years, I have had the privilege of witnessing a remarkable transformation in my mum's character, responsibility, and overall well-being. She went sober in 2022 after losing her children now aged 20, 17 and 15 due to her habit and she was subsequently chronicled her addiction on Instagram , Facebook and TikTok in a bid to help others - and claims to have 35,000 followers'I believe it is only just that her progress and dedication be recognized by restoring her driving privileges, allowing her to regain a key aspect of her independence.'Since the initial revocation of her licence, my mother has made extraordinary efforts to improve herself in ways that have left a profound impact on our family and those around her. She has taken full accountability for past challenges and has actively worked towards becoming the best version of herself.'Through her dedication to personal growth, she has demonstrated resilience, responsibility, and an unwavering commitment to maintaining a stable and positive lifestyle. Her achievements in recent years have made us all immensely proud, as she has proven time and again that she is fully capable of handling responsibilities with maturity and care.'As her child, I have personally experienced the significant changes in her demeanour and approach to life. In the past, I may have had hesitations about fully relying on her as a mother, but today, I no longer have any doubts.'I have chosen to spend more time at home with her, not out of necessity, but out of a deep sense of trust, comfort, and admiration for the person she has become. Her actions have reassured me beyond measure, and I stand as a testament to her progress and unwavering determination to be the best mother she can be.'The reinstatement of her driving licence is not merely a matter of convenience for her, but an opportunity to further integrate into society as a self-sufficient individual. Having the ability to drive would allow her to fulfil daily obligations, contribute positively to her community, and continue her journey of self-improvement without unnecessary hindrances.'Reinstating her driving licence would be a fair acknowledgment of her dedication and change.'Williamson was also fined £40 and ordered to pay £126 in costs and a victim surcharge. JP Charles Wood told her: 'It would be appropriate for the bench to express their respect for your efforts made clearly in a very difficult context - it is certainly to your credit and it has left an impression on us. We are blessed to have people like you in the community doing the work that you do.'But he added: 'Since your licence was returned you have received 12 points in a relatively short period of time. Whilst we have listened carefully to what you have said about the good works you do with quite a number of different agencies and organisations, we do not feel that the exceptional hardship barrier is cleared.'
