A mother who blew five times the legal drinking limit during a school pick-up has been found not guilty after blaming the reading on a popular health product and a reflux condition.
Natasha Jansen, 49, fell asleep in her car outside the Northbridge playing fields of Shore School, on Sydney‘s lower north shore, on the afternoon of July 23, 2024, causing a long queue.
Suspecting she may have been drinking, police administered a breath test which returned a reading of 0.243 – nearly five times the legal limit of 0.05.
She was charged with high-range drink-driving after being taken to Chatswood Police Station, where the private school mum returned a reading of 0.193.
Constable Oliver Taylor told Hornsby Local Court he had only seen three people above the level of Ms Jansen’s first reading during his time on the force, the Sunday Telegraph reported.
Despite the staggering reading, Ms Jansen was found not guilty on Monday after Magistrate Margaret McGlynn dismissed the charge.
Her lawyer, Michael Bowe, argued Ms Jansen had been drinking liquid chlorophyll as part of her skin regimen which, combined with her reflux condition, had contributed to an inaccurate reading.
Ms Jansen had consumed two 500ml bottles of Grants liquid chlorophyll, available at supermarkets, while waiting outside the school, the court was told.
Natasha Jansen (pictured) was found not guilty after blowing nearly five times the legal limit during the afternoon pick-up at Shore School
Ms Jansen suffers a reflux condition that may have contributed to an inaccurate reading, a court was told
Mr Bowe argued his client had recently switched over to the beverage and did not know it was 5.4 per cent alcohol.
Neuropharmacology expert Professor Macdonald Christie testified the amount Ms Jansen consumed should have left her with a blood alcohol reading of 0.12 or less – below the legal limit.
The court was told Ms Jansen suffered a reflux condition which a police breathalyser expert admitted could have contributed to an inaccurate reading if it caused her to regurgitate the chlorophyll into her mouth.
The breathalyser may have reflected the alcohol content in Ms Jansen’s mouth, rather than in her bloodstream, the court heard.
On these grounds, Mr Bowe argued his client’s condition made it impossible for the court to determine her precise blood alcohol content.
The court was also shown police footage that showed Ms Jansen was steady on her feet and not appearing to be exhibiting the behaviours of someone so drunk.
As to why she had fallen asleep in the queue, Ms Jansen gave evidence she was tired from not sleeping well at night.
Daily Mail has contacted Ms Jansen and Grants of Australia for comment.
Ms Jansen consumed two 500mL bottles of Grants Liquid Chlorophyll while waiting in queue
