A drink-driver from Andreas has been fined £1,700 and banned from driving for three years.

Zoe Elizabeth Brindley admitted the offence after a blood test produced a result of 197.

The legal limit is 80.

Magistrates also ordered the 59-year-old to retake her test at the end of the ban and complete a drink-driving rehabilitation course.

Prosecuting advocate Rachael Braidwood told the court that police were on patrol in Andreas on February 18 at 5pm when they saw Brindley, who lives at Larivane Close, driving her BMW.

She was heading towards the Grosvenor pub and was described as ’swerving all over the road’.

Police stopped her at Ballasteen Road and when they spoke to her she was said to be slurring her words and had glazed eyes.

Brindley told police she had drunk one glass of wine at lunchtime but had been taking new medication.

She was taken to police headquarters where she blew 109 on the intoxilyzer machine but was then unable to provide a second sample as is required.

Blood was subsequently taken which later produced the result of 197.

The court heard that she has no previous convictions.

Defence advocate Jim Travers asked for credit to be given for his client’s guilty plea on her first court appearance, adding that she had been unable to attend previously due to ill health.

’Ms Brindley is completely remorseful and embarrassed at her actions,’ said the advocate.

’It was a foolish decision to get behind the wheel.

’She has not driven since the date of her arrest and clearly won’t do so for the foreseeable future.

’This was a very out of character offence.

’Ms Brindley was travelling a short distance to her home address following a visit to a friend.’

Magistrates chair David Craine told Brindley: ’Clearly this was an offence which was out of character but it was a serious offence.’

She was also ordered to pay £50 prosecution costs which she will pay, along with the fine, within 28 days.