Shrewsbury crash driver was three times over the alcohol limit
A woman who was found to be more than three-and-a-half times the drink-drive limit after she crashed into two parked cars has been given a 34-month driving ban.
Lesley Asbury, who left the scene in her damaged Vauxhall Corsa and did not recall the incident, was told she had 'put the safety of others at real risk' when she appeared at Telford Magistrates Court .
The 53-year-old, of Brookfield, Bayston Hill, Shrewsbury, was given a suspended prison sentence after the facts of the case were read to the court.
Mr Adam Warner, prosecuting, said Asbury had collided with the two parked vehicles in Whitecroft Road, Shrewsbury, on February 3, causing 'considerable damage'.
He said: "Following the collision she drove her damaged Corsa to the rear of her brother's house."
He said her brother was not home and she sought refuge at a neighbour's house.
The court heard that a police officer discovered the damaged Vauxhall and saw there were more than 10 empty bottles of vodka in the passenger footwell.
Asbury was found at the neighbour's home.
Mr Warner said the officer noticed she was unsteady on her feet.
She failed a breath test and was arrested. The results of the test indicated she had 127 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit is 35mg.
Asbury pleaded guilty to driving while over the legal alcohol limit.
Miss Emma Lineton, representing Asbury, said she had been battling anxiety and depression and had been taking medication.
Miss Lineton said she used alcohol as a 'coping mechanism' for anxiety.
The court heard Asbury drank more than 10 units of alcohol a day but the vodka bottles were in the car 'to be taken to a recycling bank'.
Miss Lineton said the three days she had spent in police custody had been a sobering experience.
She said: "Her family are now fully aware of the problem she faces and have demonstrated a keenness to offer support."
Sentencing Asbury, District Judge Nigel Cadbury told her she had 'put the safety of others at real risk'.
He said: "On this particular occasion you committed a serious offence getting so over the limit that you don't really remember it."
Asbury was handed an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.
She was banned from driving for 34 months, ordered to complete an alcohol treatment programme and 20 rehabilitation activity days.
She will also have to pay £135 costs and a £115 victim surcharge.
