A TALENTED sports science graduate who once played rugby for England was caught drink driving after she drank Proseco while parked near Penrith.

Magistrates sitting at Carlisle's Rickergate court heard how in the months before she committed a drink driving offence, 35-year-old Sarah O'Leary had been battling with various mental health issues, including bulimia and post-natal depression.

She admitted drink driving.

Pam Ward, prosecuting, described how the offence came to light on the evening of September 2 when O'Leary drove into the Rheged service station just of the A66 near Penrith and bought a bottle of Prosecco.

"She made her way outside to her parked car and started drinking before going to an exercise class," said Mrs Ward.

After attending her exercise class, at 7.30pm, O'Leary got back into her Mercedes car and set off, attempting to join the A66 a the nearby roundabout. While doing so she swerved to avoid a small red car which she said drove in front of her and crashed into a lamppost.

A test showed that she had 92mcg of alcohol in 100mls of breath. The legal limit is 35cmg.

Lauren Heasley, for O'Leary, from Newton Reigny, near Penrith, said the mum-of-two had been suffering from post-natal depression and bulimia.

She had been living in a static caravan while her family home was being renovated.

She also had a full-time job with a medical supplies company.

As a result of the offence, she had lost her job and her husband had ended their relationship, leading to the sale of the family home, said Miss Heasley.

A qualified PE teacher, and sports psychologist, O'Leary had once played rugby for England she also coached rugby and netball locally.

She was determined to continue with the work, even if meant cycling to the venues, though she planned to move to Penrith. She had been back to her GP, and was now engaging with Unity, the local agency that helps people overcome alcohol issues.

District Judge Gerald Chalk noted that there had been an accident but gave O'Leary credit for her early guilty plea.

He imposed an eight week 8pm to 6am curfew and banned the defendant from driving for 23 months. She must also pay £85 costs and a £122 victim surcharge.