A DRINK driver has lost her licence after a member of the public called the police when they became concerned about her driving.

Melissa Sutton, 52, pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle while over the legal alcohol limit when she appeared in court on July 31.

South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court heard Sutton was spotted by a member of the public carrying bottles of wine out of a Tesco supermarket store to her Nissan Qashqai in Barrow at around 10:35 pm on July 9 this year.

Lee Dacre, prosecuting, said the member of the public witnessed Sutton reversing out of the car parking space very slowly and so decided to follow the defendant

He said the witness saw Sutton weaving driving in the right-hand lane of Abbey Road and weaving to her left, as well as pulling up short of a set of red traffic lights.

The court was told the member of the public called the police because they were so concerned about the manner of the defendant’s driving.

Road traffic officers attended the defendant’s home address of Lord Roberts Street on Walney where she was asked to provide a specimen for analysis.

Mr Dacre said Sutton was fully co-operative with the police and provided a lowest reading of 68 micrograms in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 micrograms.

The court was told she had no previous convictions.

In mitigation, Michael Graham said: “She was going through a difficult patch and had just been the victim of a fraud. She had been drinking and went to the shop to get some more alcohol.

“She uses her car for work which is now going to have a financial impact on her. She has also voluntarily referred herself to Recovery Steps.”

As a result of her guilty plea at the first opportunity, magistrates imposed a £500 and disqualified Sutton from driving for a period of 18 months. She was offered the opportunity to partake in a drink-driving rehabilitation course which would reduce the length of ban by 18 weeks.

Sutton was also ordered to pay a £200 surcharge and £85 in court costs.