Girl's letter to judge saves mother from jail

A British teenager saved her mother from jail by penning a heart-rending letter to the judge.

Julie Cairns, 38, was hauled into court for flashing the V-sign to policemen who tried to pull her over before leading them on a drink-fuelled high-speed chase. But she dodged jail as her 14-year-old daughter begged Recorder Phillip Cattan for her freedom claiming she had a drink problem, the Sun reported.

Sammy Booth wrote: "My mum is a very good mum. She's loving, caring and always here for me if I need someone to talk to. Mum's had an alcohol problem for a few years since splitting up from my dad - alcohol turns her into someone she's not.

"Whilst under the influence of alcohol, her attitude and behaviour change...

"This doesn't really feel like it's my mum, which upsets me."

Booth told Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court she was sometimes late for school while caring for her mother.

She went on: "I'm scared for my mum and I'm scared for myself, I worry what will happen if she's sent to prison. Where will I stay? What will happen to my pets? Will I be able to see my mum?"

Recorder Cattan gave Booth her wish while saying her mother escaped jail by "inches".

He handed her a four-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, while banning her from driving for three years and ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work.