A MOTORIST has been banned for two years after she was found three times over the drink-drive limit with only a provisional licence.

Isabel Winder faced magistrates in Carlisle on Tuesday and admitted drink-driving, driving without insurance and driving without a valid licence.

She was arrested by police last month near her home on Whernside in the Morton West area of Carlisle.

“At around about 12.35am on June 26, police received information that the defendant may have been out in the city drink-driving,” outlined prosecutor David Kelly.

“That information came from the defendant herself. She said she’d had a considerable amount of alcohol.

“Police found the defendant in a motor vehicle, a black Kia Picanto, trying to sleep in the car.

“When asked what she was doing, she replied, ‘I thought I would go for a drive’.”

Winder was then asked to provide a roadside breath test, before being arrested by officers.

“At the police station she gave two further samples, with 106 micrograms the lowest level of intoxication,” continued Mr Kelly.

“Three times the legal limit for someone driving a car at that time.”

The prosecution said Winder did have previous convictions.

“I don’t believe there are any recent offences – she has not been in court since 2015 for dissimilar matters,” Mr Kelly explained for the court.

The court heard how Winder pleaded guilty to the offences at the earliest opportunity.

When asked to explain why it happened by presiding magistrate David Hendry, Winder replied: “I can’t remember.”

“Is there anything happening in your life?” followed up the magistrate.

“No,” replied the 31-year-old defendant.

“Was it just a moment of madness?” he replied.

“Yes,” said Winder.

Winder opted not to take up the offer to be represented by a duty solicitor.

The court banned her from driving for a total of 24 months for the three offences.

She was also given a 17-month community order requiring her to complete 80 hours of unpaid work.

The court also ordered her to pay a £95 victim surcharge and £85 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service.