STAFF at a convenience store alerted police to a driver who appeared to be drunk when she bought a bottle of wine and then drove home.

Police were called by staff at Spar on Harrington Road in Workington, just after 12.30pm on February 3, Workington Magistrates’ Court heard.

Hayley Winthorpe, 44, was dropping her items and appeared to be under the influence of alcohol when she purchased a bottle of wine from the store.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said officers attended and began to search for the vehicle. It was located parked on the defendant’s driveway, just after 12.45pm.

Winthorpe was breathalysed and gave a reading of 111mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit to drive is 35mcg. At the police station, she gave a reading of 110mcg.

During interview, Winthorpe told police she had drunk a few half tumblers of vodka prior to officers arriving.

She was asked to explain how she got three times over the drink-drive limit in eight minutes.

Ms Fee said Winthorpe had been caught out lying on numerous occasion in the interview.

Winthorpe, of Derwent Street, Workington, pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle with alcohol level above the limit.

John Cooper, defending, said: “She does say she had a drink when she got back in. It’s a guilty plea at the first opportunity.

“There’s no suggestion of any bad driving. No reports of any incidents between the shop and home address. There’s no suggestion of a standard of poor driving. There’s nothing that aggravates it.”

Passing sentence, magistrates said it was a “high reading” and banned Winthorpe from driving for 25 months.

She was offered the drink-drivers’ rehabiliatation course, which would reduce the ban by 25 weeks.

Winthorpe was given a 12-month community order with 80 hours of unpaid work. She must also pay £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.

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