Hartlepool drink driver was two and a half times limit when she drove car to escape assault

Melanie Swan, who had originally denied the charge of driving with excess alcohol, changed her plea to guilty on the day of her trial at Teesside Magistrates’ Court.

The 33-year-old, of the town’s Stockton Road, was arrested following the offence on November 23 last year.

Ansab Shan, prosecuting, said police were called to Wynyard Road shortly after midnight following reports of an incident.

He said when they arrived they were told Swan had driven to her home, which at that time was in Dalkeith Road.

He said: “Officers went to Dalkeith Road and spoke to the defendant, she confirmed she had driven her vehicle from Wynyard Road to her home address after consuming alcohol.”

Tests found that she had 206 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, with the limit being 80.

Mr Shan confirmed she had driven a very short distance of about half a mile and had no previous convictions.

Ben Pegman, defending, said his client only drove the car because she had been the victim of an assault.

He said: “The events are what she told the police. Her recall isn’t great.

“She had been the victim of an assault.

“She is going through a rough time.”

Mr Pegman said losing her driving licence is going to have a significant impact on Swan spending time with her son.

Judge Timothy Capstick said when Swan first appeared before him charged with driving with excess alcohol, he told her then she had no defence, but she wouldn’t listen.

He said by continuing with the not guilty claim until the day of trial she has wasted court time and cost public money.

Judge Capstick said: “You didn’t need to get in this vehicle, you could have just walked away from this house.”

Swan was given a six-month community order which included a 28-day curfew. She was banned from driving for 22 months and ordered to pay £500 costs and a £90 surcharge.