British Airways Stewardess Found Nearly Five Times Over Legal Limit, Slumped at Roundabout

A British Airways stewardess was found nearly five times over the legal drink-drive limit, slumped over the steering wheel of her car on a roundabout near Guildford, Surrey. Police were alerted to Emma Newton Owen’s erratic driving by concerned motorists, followed by a report from an ambulance crew who found her vehicle blocking other cars. When police arrived, a taxi driver had moved her car to the side of the road, where they found Newton Owen, 45, still in her British Airways uniform, slumped over the steering wheel.

Newton Owen, who had just completed a short-haul flight as part of the British Airways crew, admitted to officers that she had been drinking, saying, “I am going to be honest, it's going to come back positive.” A blood alcohol test later confirmed she was almost five times over the legal limit.

In court, Newton Owen’s solicitor, Annie Finn, explained that her client had been under significant personal stress, describing the incident as a "cry for help." Newton Owen had been the victim of domestic violence, and her husband, Gawain, was arrested after allegedly abusing her, including incidents involving physical violence. Newton Owen, now separated and supported by her parents, is a single mother to her six-year-old daughter.