A driver who failed to provide a breath sample after crashing her Audi into a parked car has been banned from the roads for two and a half years.

Susan Smallwood, 50, of Pica Cottages, Pica, had previously denied a charge of failing to provide specimen for analysis but was convicted following a trial held on June 8.

She was sentenced at Workington Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said officers were called to a road traffic collision at 6pm on November 16 in Workington last year.

A grey Audi had collided with another vehicle parked further down the road.

Smallwood admitted she had hit a car but when asked to provide a specimen of breath, she refused to do so.

She “smelled strongly of intoxicants” and was arrested, the court heard.

At the police station, officers tried to obtain a sample of breath again but Smallwood became abusive. She did not provide a medical exemption for not being able to provide a sample.

Smallwood, who was unrepresented, said: “At the hearing, I had to represent myself. We spoke about the circumstances of what I had been through. Recent events of losing my husband. I had been looking after him for four years.

“It was a traumatic time. There was no help or support for me. I was in considerable distress that night. I have never been in trouble before.

“I live out in a remote area. I really need my driver’s licence.”

Magistrates banned Smallwood from driving for 30 months.

Passing sentence, lead magistrate, Christopher Droet, said: “That is a very long time. That is reflecting how serious this offence is.”

Smallwood was also given an 18-month community order with 18 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

She was fined £180 and ordered to pay £620 costs and a £95 victim surcharge.