A WOMAN who failed to provide a specimen of breath after she was arrested moving her car told police she was unable to complete the test as she smokes, a court heard.

Debra Cowe, of Barrack Road in West Parley, had been out on March 23 for a colleague’s leaving party. She intended to take a taxi home again.

However, in the early hours of the following day, she decided to move her car from Melbury Avenue in Poole as she was concerned that it was causing an obstruction.

She was stopped by police as she did so. She provided a sample of breath on the roadside, which appeared to show she’d been drinking, and was arrested.

However, when in custody, the 52-year-old failed to provide a second specimen of breath, despite four attempts.

The court heard she believed she was unable to because she smokes.

Cowe admitted the offence when appearing at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Friday, April 13.

Magistrates said the offence was at the “lower end” of failing to provide.

Cowe was fined £185 and ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £85.

She was also disqualified from driving for 12 months.