Drink driver in off-licence call

And when they breath-tested her they found that she was almost three times the legal limit.

Victoria Isobel Baxter (40), whose address was given as Marlborough Park, Lurgan, was banned from driving for 16 months last Wednesday at Craigavon Magistrates Court.

She was also fined £200 and ordered to pay a £15 offender’s levy.

If she completes a probation course for drink driving her ban would be reduced to 12 months.

The court heard that on April 17 this year at 9.30pm police received a report of an intoxicated female driving a car in Union Street.

They went to the last registered address and saw the defendant pulling into the driveway.

There was a smell of intoxicating liquor on her breath and she failed a preliminary test.

An evidential test gave a reading of 109 - the legal limit is 35.

Mr Paddy Moriarty, representing the defendant, said the only time she had been in court before was when she had been the victim of a very serious assault.

He explained that in January this year her former boyfriend was jailed for six months and a restraining order put in place.

Mr Moriarty added when he got out after three months he almost at once breached the order and she was under considerable pressure.

He said Baxter had been drinking at home, had gone to the off licence and was detected on her way back.

District Judge, Mr Mervyn Bates, said it was a pity to see someone who had a clear record in court but he could not ignore the high reading and that her driving had been a source of concern to the public.