A Ballasalla woman has been fined £850 and banned from driving for two years for drink-driving.

Nicola Ann Piercy, of Crossag Close, must also retake her test at the end of the ban and pay £125 prosecution costs.

Piercy, who is 27, failed a breathalyser test with a reading of 65 after being stopped by police on Saturday, June 17 - the legal limit is 35.

Prosecutor Hazel Carroon told the court how, at 8.05pm, police were on patrol in Willaston when they saw Piercy exit Baldwin Road junction in her car.

Her nearside wheel struck the pavement and police followed her, reporting that her driving was ’erratic’.

She was stopped on Greenfield Road and was said to be smelling of alcohol, have slurred speech and glazed eyes.

Piercy failed a roadside breathalyser test and told police that she had been out earlier for a meal and had consumed a small amount of beer.

She was arrested and taken to police headquarters where she failed a further test with the reading of 65.

Defending Piercy in court, her advocate Ian Kermode said: ’On Saturday evening, Ms Piercy was unfortunately involved in a disagreement with a friend in Willaston. She accepts she made a significant error of judgement by getting in her car and leaving the property.

’She was the only person in the car and didn’t crash, though we have heard reference to her hitting the pavement.

’No-one was injured and it was a relatively short distance.’

Mr Kermode said that his client did have previous convictions but the only one in the last seven years was for a TV licence matter.

’She is deeply embarrassed by the commission of this offence,’ said the advocate. ’She wants to apologise the police and the court for having to deal with the case.’

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said: ’I will deal with this by way of financial penalty.’ Piercy will pay the fine and costs at a rate of £12.50 per week.