A DRINK-DRIVER was caught twice in less than three months – once after a head-on crash.

Lisa Simpson, 46, was more than two times over the legal limit when she crashed in the first case, having downed a bottle-and-a-half of red wine and on her way to buy more drink.

And the second time she was snared – at three times the limit – she was seen staggering from a van.

She was banned from driving for three years after appearing before magistrates in Carlisle.

In the first incident, on November 26, she had to be freed from her Hyundai Getz car after the crash.

John Moran, prosecuting, said the driver of the other vehicle involved was unhurt but told police how he saw the Hyundai swerve into his path.

Simpson, of Stackbraes Road, Longtown, was treated for possible spinal injuries and taken to Carlisle’s Cumberland Infirmary. She gave a reading of 157mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood, the limit being 80.

Police were told she had earlier consumed one-and-a-half bottles of red wine in four hours before heading to a shop for more drink.

On January 29 Simpson was found slumped at a kitchen table with wine bottles in front of her. Police had been contacted by a member of the public who saw erratic driving.

“She left her van and was seen stumbling in the road,” said Mr Moran.

Simpson gave a reading of 108mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, well above the limit of 35.

A woman of previous good character, she was represented in court by Keith Thomas, who called her case a “tragedy”.

A healthcare assistant, she had become alcohol dependant having suffered from clinical depression and a personal tragedy.

However, Simpson was taking steps to address her difficulties, the court heard.

Magistrates gave her a six-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. As well as her driving ban, she must take part in rehabilitation.