A PENRITH drug-driver must wait to learn her fate after a probation officer said more time was needed to explore whether specialist rehabilitation work could be offered to her.

Karen Shanahan’s history of substance-related motoring crimes was outlined after she was brought to court following another brush with the law. This occurred on November 3 last year, magistrates were told.

“An officer was on patrol in Oak Road, Penrith, and observed a Mini Cooper,” said prosecutor George Shelley. “This vehicle was of interest to police due to information received. The vehicle was described as coming to a natural stop outside an address.”

Shanahan, aged 48, of Parklands Crescent, Penrith, was the driver. “On seeing officers she has immediately tried to get inside the house,” said Mr Shelley. Officers who followed her to a rear door noted they could smell cannabis at the car.

Shanahan admitted to smoking it regularly. A drug wipe proved positive for both cannabis and cocaine, leading to her arrest.

An evidential blood sample showed she was above the legal driving limit for both illegal substances.

At Carlisle Magistrates’ Court, Shanahan pleaded guilty to two drug-driving charges.

Mr Shelley said she had a previous conviction for drug-driving which dated back to early 2022. In addition, there were two excess alcohol convictions on her record, from 1999 and 2011.

Defence solicitor Steven Marsh, mitigating, asked for the case to be paused while Shanahan spoke to a probation officer. “There are a number of medical matters that need to be taken into account,” he said.

When the case resumed, the probation officer said Shanahan could be suitable for mental health treatment and also drug rehabilitation requirements.

However, there would been to be a formal assessment before the probation service could finalise a report for magistrates ahead of sentence.

Shanahan is due to return to court to receive her sentence on May 10. In the meantime, magistrates imposed an interim driving ban.