A 35-year-old woman has been fined £750 and banned from driving for one year after admitting drink-driving.

Lorraine Watterson, of Rheast Barrule, Castletown, produced a reading of 103 after a blood test. The legal limit is 80.

Prosecuting advocate Roger Kane told the court that Watterson was located by police at Rushen cemetery on June 19 at 3.30am.

She was said to be smelling of alcohol and failed a roadside breathalyser test.

After being arrested and taken to police headquarters, she was unable to take a further breathalyser test due to Covid restrictions so blood was taken.

When interviewed Watterson admitted drinking eight or nine cans of beer saying that she had been emotional and was visiting her father’s grave.

The court heard that she has no previous convictions.

Defence advocate Jane Gray said that her client had held a clean driving licence for five years.

’At the time she had been grieving her late father who had only been buried two weeks prior,’ said Ms Gray.

’She was overcome with grief and is on a nine-month waiting list for counselling.

’She consumed alcohol at home, and just after 3am decided to go to the cemetery.

’Her husband tried to persuade her not to go. She spent over 12 hours in a police cell.’

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes also ordered Watterson to pay £125 prosecution costs, which she will pay, along with the fine, at a rate of £20 per week, deducted from benefits.