Sunderland man tipped off police when his former partner from South Shields drove to see him while over the limit

Lauren Benham, 25, of Barbour Avenue, South Shields, bumped into her ex-partner on a night out on January 17, a court heard.

She went home upset when he acted aggressively towards her but she then drove her Peugeot 108 to his Sunderland home the following morning to ask why he had behaved badly.

South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court was told he called police to say she may be drunk, and she was stopped in Morgan Street, Southwick, giving a positive breath test reading.

Prosecutor Jeff Taylor said she had 41mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath. The legal limit is 35mcgs.

He added: “At ten-to-nine in the morning, police received a call. They sight this lady’s vehicle in the street. She was breath tested and blew a fail.

“She was arrested and taken to a police station where a Camic gave a lowest reading of 41mcgs. She has no previous convictions.”

Val Bell, defending, said of Benham, who pleaded guilty to drink-driving: “She’s never been in any kind of trouble before with the criminal justice system.

“She is genuinely remorseful and embarrassed. Recently a long-term relationship ended with her partner, it had been amicable. The night before this offence she bumped into the ex-partner who had been aggressive towards her and she was upset and went home.

“The next morning, she thought that she would be ok to drive but she was just over the limit. She went to his house to find out what had gone on and he called the police.”

Deputy District Judge Geraldine Kelly told Benham: “I’ve taken it on board that this was the morning after the night before. It’s surprising how many people get caught that way.

“There’s no suggestion that you were driving badly. This is an offence that requires the court to ban someone from driving.”

Benham, who is in full-time employment, was banned from driving for 12 months, fined £184 and must pay £85 court costs and a £32 victim surcharge.