A RESIDENTIAL care worker was caught drink-driving while on a 'mission of mercy' to help search for a missing boy.

Sharyn Smith, 46, appeared in front of a district judge who learned she had lost her job in the aftermath of an offence on March 25.

Prosecutor George Shelley told Carlisle Magistrates’ Court that two police officers were in a marked patrol vehicle on the city’s Hardwicke Circus at around 12.30am.

They saw a BMW 420 being driven at 'high speed' on Georgian Way towards Spencer Street.

“It was obvious to both it was travelling well in excess of the 30mph limit,” said Mr Shelley.

They gained ground and saw it stopped at a red traffic light. “As it turned to green, the car rapidly accelerated, causing the rear of the vehicle to fishtail,” said the prosecutor.

It straddled two lanes, settled in one and turned into Warwick Road before stopping, when requested, outside the city’s crown court.

Smith failed a roadside breath test with a later evidential breath specimen showing she was approaching twice the legal limit.

She admitted driving with excess alcohol in court on Monday, and had previous drink-driving convictions dating back to both 2005 and 2010.

Chris Toms, defending, outlined Smith’s challenging personal circumstances earlier this year. She was going through a difficult divorce and caring for her terminally ill mother. “Both of these matter have affected her emotional and psychological state,” said Mr Toms.

Hours before the offence she had finished a shift and slept. She woke, had a glass of wine and was then contacted by a relative as attempts were made to trace a boy 'on the run' from the care authorities and his parents, and believed to be living rough.

As Smith sought to help, she put some food and clothes into a bag, and 'jumped' in the car.

“She was effectively on a mission of mercy when this happened,” said Mr Toms.

Professional residential care worker Smith, of High Crosby, Carlisle, had since lost her job, was effectively now unemployed and adversely affected by her inability to drive.

District Judge John Temperley fined Smith £120, ordering her to pay costs and a mandatory surcharge. She was banned from driving for 14 months but offered the chance to complete a rehabilitation course to reduce the length of disqualification.

Of her previous drink-drive convictions, District Judge Temperley concluded: “I don’t believe they are recent enough to impact significantly on how I deal with you today — particularly when I am told of the circumstances which led to you driving on this occasion.”