A PENRITH woman wept as a judge sentenced her for driving along a major north Cumbrian road while under the influence.

Sharon Marie Hood, 51, got into her Ford Kuga car after staggering from a pub in Penrith at 10pm on July 16, according to witnesses who later spoke to police.

She then immediately collided with another vehicle in the car park before driving off at speed.

Hood drove home via the A6, Carlisle’s Rickergate Magistrates' Court heard.

The defendant, of Hargreaves Court, Penrith, admitted drink driving.

Prosecutor John Moran described how after being alerted to what she had done police found the defendant at her home. The initial breath test they gave her produced a reading of 105mcg in 100mls of breath.

A later test at Carlisle’s Durranhill Police HQ yielded a reading of 86mcg of alcohol.

The legal limit is 35cmg.

Mr Moran said: “She made admissions in her interview about drinking alcohol and there was no argument that she drank after driving. She has no previous convictions.”

Lauren Heasley, for Hood, said the defendant had lived with a longstanding diagnosis of depression and anxiety – problems that stretched back 12 years. “She is on medication and supported by a local support group,” said Miss Heasley.

“She has opened up recently about alcohol misuse, which has been an issue for some eight years. She is now engaged with her GP and Unity and takes no issue with the prosecution case, though she was told by the police that there was no damage to the other vehicle.

“She is on disability living allowance on account of her mental health issues.”

The lawyer said that the defendant, who is the mother of an autistic child, would suffer devastating consequences as a result of losing her driving licence. Her husband was also very disappointed with what she had done.

But Miss Heasley added: “But is has brought it to a head and she is now being forced to seek help.”

District Judge Gerald Chalk noted that the defendant was a woman of previous good character who was dealing with problems in her life. He fined her £120, with £85 costs and a £34 victim surcharge.

He also disqualified her from driving for 21 months but said he was prepared to offer her the drink driver rehabilitation course, which if completed in time will reduce the length of her ban by 21 weeks.