A woman driver was more than twice above the drink-drive limit when she hit a wall, drove erratically for five miles and reversed into a police car, a court heard today.
Her daughter was in the back of her car and was not in a booster seat when her mother hit a wall on the A5 at Capel Curig in Snowdonia.
The mother admitted to drink-driving at a Magistrates Court.
She had a breath-alcohol count of 98 when the legal limit is 35. She also pleaded guilty to being drunk in charge of a child.
A shop owner said the Toyota Auris was littered with empty lager cans and she looked dazed after the collision.
Prosecutor said: 'Members of the public attempted to stop her' as she got back into her company car and drove off. 'Police officers began to follow the vehicle.
'It was driven erratically, crossing over the white lines and weaving in the road.
'Approximately five miles later the vehicle was stopped, police officers partially blocking the vehicle.
'She reversed into an unmarked police vehicle travelling behind her.' was given a twelve-month community order with supervision and a 26-month driving ban which she could reduce by attending a drink-drivers’ course.
She must also pay £145 costs.
Court chairman told her: 'The reading was almost three times the legal limit. You have realised the gravity of the situation with particular reference to your daughter’s safety.
You are making the right progress in terms of alcohol awareness.'
Alcoholism was the catalyst for the offences. It was a problem she had attempted to tackle and following her arrest she referred herself to a project with a residential programme.
'What happened was out of character and not typical of the way she ordinarily conducts herself,'
Mr Lloyd said there was no damage caused. She had travelled at 45mph, within the speed limit, and then placed the car in reverse to straighten it.
Edited to remove names.
£145 costs, no fine just a drink awareness course and a ban that can be reduced? If driver is an alcoholic what is she doing with a driving licence?
Edited by oldroverboy. on 19/07/2013 at 08:17
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