A 64-year-old drink-driver who was nearly three times the limit has been fined £1,800 and banned from driving for five years.

Joan Erica Hughes-Jones failed a breathalyser test with a reading of 104. The legal limit is 35.

In court she pleaded guilty to the offence and was also ordered by Deputy High Bailiff James Brooks to take an extended driving test at the end of her ban, and complete a drink-driving rehabilitation course.

We previously reported that Hughes-Jones, who lives at Harbour Road in Santon, was at the Spar shop in Anagh Coar on October 26 at 3.10pm.

Staff at the store refused to sell her alcohol due to concerns about her being drunk.

She was described as nearly falling over and smelling of alcohol.

Staff then saw her leave the shop holding her car keys and get into a Mini in the car park.

She proceeded to drive from the bottom of the car park to the top where another vehicle drove in front of her to stop her leaving.

Police arrived and when Hughes-Jones got out of the Mini she was said to have stumbled slightly.

She was taken to police headquarters where she failed the breathalyser test with the 104 reading.

The court heard that she has no previous convictions.

Defence advocate Stephen Wood handed in letters of reference for his client and said that she worked in the care profession.

Mr Wood said that it could be suggested that more people in this profession were coming before the court recently.

’I would submit that, in the UK and the island, those in these professions are going through awful experiences,’ said the advocate.

Mr Wood said that Hughes-Jones had been going through a difficult time when the offence was committed.

He continued: ’Clearly once a certain amount of alcohol has been consumed, sense goes out of the window.

’She is not a lady you will see before the court in the future. She has treated her mistake as a catalyst and has attended Motiv8.

’This is a lady who has taken, as far as she can, a silver lining from this and made changes.’

Deputy High Bailiff Mr Brooks told Hughes-Jones: ’You drove from your home after drinking, all the way to Spar in Anagh Coar, a very considerable distance.

’You are perhaps fortunate you are only here for drink-driving and nothing more serious took place.’

Hughes-Jones was also ordered to pay £125 prosecution costs, which she will pay, along with the fine, at a rate of £150 per month.