Sunderland drink driver banned after police spotted car 'hitting a central reservation and swerving in the road'

Olivia Smith, 23, pleaded guilty to driving whilst above the alcohol limit and driving without insurance when she appeared before South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.

Paul Doney, prosecuting, said reports were made to the police of a VW Golf hitting a central reservation and swerving in the road as it was being driven along Ryhope Road on November 15, shortly after midnight.

He said it was seen driving into a new build housing area.

Police found the car, which had a flat tyre, parked outside Smith’s house and they knocked on the door.

Mr Doney said: “The door was opened by the defendant who appeared to be drunk and was holding a Pot Noodle.

“She said the car belonged to her boyfriend. A set of keys were located in an upstairs bedroom.”

Smith was arrested and taken to the police station. Tests found she had 89 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, with the limit being 35.

Greg Flaxon, defending, said the Smith never denied she was driving the car, which it was later found she was not insured for.

He said: “She was in the house alone, she went to town to pick up her boyfriend.”

The solicitor said the pair had a disagreement and Smith had a drink while in the city centre before she headed home.

Mr Flaxon said: “She didn’t believe she was over the limit.”

He said she felt her driving was not impaired and the swerving might have been due to the problem with the tyre.

He said: “She said she had a further drink when she got home and she told the police that.”

Mr Flaxon said this is a sad case of his client having a silly argument with her boyfriend, which has ended up with her appearing before the courts.

He said: “She is extremely embarrassed by the whole affair.”

Smith, of Handley Way, Sunderland, was given six penalty points and banned from driving for 22 months. She was fined £357 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £35 surcharge.