A Sunderland woman who flunked a breath test had first given a reading of almost four times the limit, a court heard.

Vicki Broadbent, 57, successfully gave one of two legally required blows into a breathalyser after being arrested on suspicion of drink-driving on Monday, May 26.

The woman gave an initial breathalyser sample.

placeholder image — The woman gave an initial breathalyser sample.

It gave a reading for alcohol of 135mcg, against a legal limit of 35mcg, but Broadbent, of Treecone Close, Hall Farm, then failed to give a required second sample.

Magistrates in South Tyneside heard medical issues were initially suspected of contributing but ultimately, she had simply not ‘tried hard enough’.

The store worker is now starting a 21-month driving ban after pleading guilty to a charge of failing to provide a sample for analysis – vehicle driver.

Prosecutor Chike Anieto said: “Police were contacted by a third party in relation to a possible domestic incident.

“They were met by the defendant and an officer could smell alcohol and intoxicating liquor on the defendant.

“Officers had activated their body-worn video. Her speech was slurred, and she was unsteady on her feet.

“The officers identified that a vehicle, a white Hyundai, had narrowly avoided colliding with another vehicle. She was arrested for this.

“Following this, the defendant failed to provide a specimen. There was a second attempt to get this done.

“She gave 135mcg in breath, but the second was incomplete.”

The court heard Broadbent, who has one historic conviction, had initially pleaded not guilty but changed that on the day of trial.

Joanne Gatens, defending, said: “The defendant suffers with anxiety and angina, and we explored whether the angina would have prevented her from providing a second sample of breath.

“The medical evidence didn’t support that. She accepts that she provided the first sample but did not provide the second. What she would say is that she didn’t try hard enough.

“She recognises that the choices she made that night were the wrong choices. This is not someone who goes out and willingly causes offences.”

Magistrates also handed Broadbent a 12-month community order, with 20 rehabilitation days and six months of mental health treatment, and fined her £353, with a £400 court costs and a £114 victim surcharge.