A WOMAN from Flintshire who works as a teacher at a Cheshire college was found to be more than two-and-a-half times the drink-drive limit.

North East Wales Magistrates Court was told Eleanor Frances Cooil, 25, of Archway, Mold, was employed as a teacher in media at Cheshire College South and West.

Defence solicitor Mike Pugh said she had been hoping to extend her contract to full-time hours but given the conviction and the nature of her work there was a good chance now that her job could be at risk.

He said Cooil suffered from depression and anxiety and that a reference by her partner, who was also employed at the college, gave the court more background to his client.

Cooil admitted she drove a Peugeot on October 17 at Woodlands Road in Mold when she had 91 microgrammes of alcohol in her breath compared to the legal limit of 35.

She was banned from driving for 22 months, fined £365 with £85 costs and a £36 surcharge.

Prosecutor Justin Espie said it was just before midnight that police activated their emergency lights to indicate to her to stop.

She attempted to park three times but appeared unable to do so and stalled on two occasions before stopping at an angle.

When officers started the procedure she told them: “I know I am going to be over.”

Mr Espie told the Mold court: “It is as early a guilty indication as you are ever going to get.”

Mr Pugh said his client had no previous convictions.

She suffered depression and anxiety, was prescribed medication and that day had been “a bit of a down day”.

Cooil, he said, had some alcohol at home and then drove a short distance to a garage.

Police pulled her over but Mr Pugh stressed was not because of her manner of driving but because lights were not illuminated.

Mr Pugh said: “She is extremely embarrassed to be before the court and is remorseful.”

He said through her job she had headed up some charity work including the distribution of fruit to the homeless in Chester, something she was proud of.

Probation officer Andrew Connah said she had some wine and then drove to a garage to get some cigarettes.

Her remorse was genuine and she had a good insight into the potential consequences of her actions.

As a result she had stopped drinking completely.

Her Nan had died, she lived in her Nan’s house and it had a significant impact on her mental health.

Mr Connah said her Nan had been more like a mother to her.

Cooil was a woman who had two degrees and her employers were supportive of her with her mental health issues, which she had since a child.

She undertook various therapies to address them.

At the time of the offence there had been a break in counselling and she felt she had not been managing very well at the time.