Watch the moment Sunderland drink driver is arrested in her dressing gown following a police chase - which she recorded on Snapchat

Sophie Ross, 23, was over the limit when she hopped behind the wheel of a Fiat Punto car on Sunday, December 15.

Under the influence of alcohol and wearing her dressing gown, Ross, of Benfleet Avenue in Sunderland, knew she was in trouble when she saw police lights and heard sirens fast approaching.

But, instead of getting out of the car, the unlicensed and uninsured driver led officers on a chase around the streets of Town End while she recorded the chase on Snapchat.

When officers finally caught up with her, she became verbally abusive and had to be restrained before being taken in to custody.

When breathalysed, she was found to have 73 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – more than twice the legal limit.

Ross appeared at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, December 17, where she pleaded guilty to driving while over the legal alcohol limit, driving while uninsured and without a licence and failing to stop.

She was disqualified from the roads for 22 months and given a community order and must carry out 60 hours of unpaid work in the next 12 months.

Following the case, Constable Steven Hackett, from Northumbria Police’s Motor Patrols Department, said: “This incident happened near a busy street where people were shopping and going for takeaway food so the outcome could have been very different for members of the public and for Ross.

“We know all too well driving while under the influence of alcohol can have grave consequences and can cause serious injury and can even kill.

“I hope this case serves as a warning to anyone thinking of getting behind the wheel this Christmas, or any other time of year – after a heavy night out, or a few too many – it’s simply not worth it.

“The best you can expect is to lose your licence and be hauled in front of the courts.”