Ford drink driver caught swerving all over A46 Cheltenham Road

Rita Sullivan, of Willow Close, Ashton-under-Hill, near Evesham, admitted drink driving at Worcester Magistrates Court. 

Eleanor Peart, prosecuting, explained police received a 999 call from a member of the public to report a suspected drink driver on the A46 Cheltenham Road on November 18. 

Miss Peart said when police caught up with the Ford Focus they saw it swerving all over the road and driving at 30mph on the 60mph stretch of the road. 

Sullivan was taken to the police station where she provided an evidential sample of 60 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, the legal limit being 35mcg. 

COURT: Rita Sullivan outside Worcester Magistrates Court (Image: Sam Greenway/Newsquest)

The prosecutor added: "You may find an aggravating factor is the evidence of an unacceptable standard of driving as described by officers."

Sullivan, who had no previous convictions and represented herself during the hearing, was then asked to stand by the court clerk. 

When asked about the offence the defendant said: "I'm really, really sorry. 

"I'm ashamed and embarrassed."

The defendant said she had not realised she was over the limit at the time adding if she had thought she was, she would never have got in the car. 

CASE: Sullivan's case was heard at Worcester Magistrates Court

Chairman of the bench, Peter Cound, told the pensioner she was getting an inevitable driving ban. 

Sullivan loudly sighed before saying: "I have never done this before."

Sullivan was disqualified from driving for 17 months but was offered the chance to take the drink-drive awareness course which, if successfully completed, will reduce the ban length by 17 weeks.

Sullivan was fined £184, ordered to pay costs of £135 and £74 victim surcharge. 

Magistrates told her to pay the full amount, £393, within 28 days - although she was informed she could speak to the fines office to negotiate a payment pay.

The case was heard at the court on Thursday, (December 7).