A CARER who was twice stopped by police and found to be over three times the drink-drive limit on both occasions, has been banned from driving for 28 months.

Kathryn Myers, 50, of Hall Way, Sutton, near Keighley, was given an interim ban at Skipton Magistrates’ Court on July 14 after pleading guilty to driving while over the alcohol limit in North View, Lothersdale, on March 18 this year.

A test revealed she had 262 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 80 milligrammes.

Myers was also charged with failing to stop after an accident.

Prosecutor Melanie Ibbotson said Myers had ‘clipped’ a parked car in North View, Lothersdale. between 2pm and 2.30pm on March 18. Mrs Ibbotson said the owner of the damaged car approached the defendant with the intention of asking her to reverse her car but as he spoke to her she kept repeating ‘leave me alone’.

Myers then left the scene. She was traced to her home by police and arrested.

When Myers appeared at court for sentencing, magistrates were asked to consider a second charge of drink-driving which occurred on May 19 in Carleton Avenue, Skipton, and which Myers admitted. It was due to be heard later this month. Defence solicitor John Mewies asked for the second matter to be brought forward.

In relation to the second offence, Mrs Ibbotson said a member of the public had contacted the police alerting them to Myers and her car in Carleton Avenue, believing she had been drinking.

“Police attended and she was arrested. She later provided a sample of blood and was found to have 250 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood,” said Mrs Ibbotson.

Defending, Mr Mewies said the incidents were ‘totally out of character’ for his client who had told him was going through some tragic events in her family at the time and had ‘sought solace in drink. She had made errors in judgement in regard to her driving.

He said she had since made amendments to her lifestyle and had not had a drink since the May 19 occasion.

“She is a hard-working individual who spends her life caring for others,” he said.

Magistrates said they were taking both offences into account and disqualified Myers from driving for 28 months. They also gave her a 12 months community order to include 25 rehabilitation days. She was also ordered to pay costs of £85 and a surcharge of £90.

Myers was offered the opportunity to complete a drink-drive rehabilitation course which would reduce her sentence by 28 weeks if completed successfully.