This is Staffordshire --PARENT Carol Henry was more than four times over the drink-drive limit when she crashed into a car.
Police arrested the 48-year-old at the scene of the Baddeley Green crash after suspecting she had been drinking.
Former care worker Henry had run into the back of a car at 'low speed' in Leek New Road at about 7pm on July 26.
Now magistrates have handed Henry, of Pleydell Street, Sneyd Green, a three-year driving ban and ordered her to carry out 210 hours unpaid work.
Geoff Gibson, prosecuting, told North Staffordshire Justice Centre yesterday: "After speaking to the defendant, police asked her to give a roadside breath test which gave a positive reading.
"She was arrested and taken to the police station."
At the station Henry's lowest reading was 151 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit is 35.
The single-mum pleaded guilty to drink-driving at a court hearing on August 16 and was handed an interim driving ban.
Rob Hill, defending, told the court his client had been experiencing problems in recent times.
He said: "I accept you do not get readings like that in court most of the time.
"This was a one-off, she has no previous convictions and before this had a clean driving licence.
"It is easy to sit at home and drink when you are experiencing problems and to just carry on.
"This is a lady who needs some help. She has a child at home and so if she went to prison there would be nobody there.
"The incident was more of an accumulation of drink rather than one session.
"However it is something that won't happen again. She is horrified to be in court."
Mr Hill also told the court his client was currently unable to drive on medical grounds after suffering from blackouts.
The court heard Henry could have been jailed for the offence.
Magistrate David Evans told Henry: "This has not been an easy decision to make as this is an offence which crosses the custody threshold."
Henry was also given an 18 month community and supervision order, which includes sessions with Aquarius alcohol services. She was also told to pay £85 costs.
Mr Evans added: "We feel this sentence will not only punish you but provide some support." Reported by This is 2 hours ago.