A PENSIONER drove to a police station and was arrested after failing a drink drink test.

A court heard how officers were in the vicinity of Asda in Kendal when they were alerted to a woman – Linda Lazonby, 71, - suspected of being drunk and about to get behind the wheel.

The woman’s car keys had been seized by staff and were handed to police who then tracked down Lazonby, of Cartmel Fell, Grange, walking along Burton Road, officers said.

She was given words of advice and informed that she could collect her car key from Kendal Police Station the following day.

She drove to Kendal Police Station using a spare key for her car on Wednesday.

Officers suspected she may have been drinking. A preliminary breath test was conducted which returned a sample of 65 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath – the limit being 35 microgrammes.

Lazonby was arrested and charged after failing to provide an evidential sample of breath for analysis.

At court, Lazonby was given an interim driving ban prior to a sentencing hearing that is due to take place on  October 17. 

The incident occurred during Cumbria Police’s Fatal Four operation – Operation Spotlight – which aims to highlight and tackle speeding, using a mobile phone at the wheel, not wearing a seatbelt and driving under the influence of drink and/or drugs.

A further drink-drive arrest was made yesterday.

Lynne Bevilacqua, 72, of Wilson Avenue, Haverigg, was stopped in the Haverigg area at around 3.50pm. She was arrested and subsequently charged with driving whilst over the alcohol limit.

She was bailed to attend Workington Magistrates’ Court on 22 October 2024.