A grandmother has been fined £800 and banned from driving after admitting drinking before driving to collect a child from school.

Susan Hodge, 62, of Patrick Road, Patrick, admitted failing a breathalyser test with a reading of 43 - the legal limit is 35.

She was banned from driving for 12 months with an order to retake her test at the end of the ban.

alcohol

Prosecutor Rachael Braidwood told the court how, on November 23 at just after 3.30pm, a member of the public called police to say that they were concerned that Hodge had collected a child from primary school after consuming alcohol.

Police called at Hodge’s home where she was said to be smelling slightly of alcohol.

She told police that she had had a drink in the morning, then two glasses of wine at lunchtime.

She failed the breathalyser test and was offered a blood test, as is the law for readings under 50, but declined.

The court heard that she has no previous convictions.

apologetic

Defence advocate Stephen Wood said that his client was ’extremely embarrassed’ and ’highly apologetic’.

Mr Wood said that Hodge had been doing some washing up in the morning and had consumed what was left in a glass without thinking about it.

She had then drunk wine with a meal at lunchtime and thought she was okay to drive.

’Clearly this just tipped her over the limit,’ said the advocate. ’43 is not the highest reading.’

Mr Wood went on to say that Hodge was a part-time dog walker and cleaner.

’The loss of her licence is going to have a significant impact.’

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes also ordered Hodge to pay £125 prosecution costs.