A WOMAN who was caught more than four times the drink-drive limit told police she became an alcoholic during the covid-19 lockdown.

Danielle Harley, of Seahill Road in Saughall, appeared at Mold Magistrates Court on Thursday.

The 47-year-old admitted that on April 14 in Sealand Road, Sealand, she drove a motor vehicle after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion of it in her breath exceeded the prescribed limit.

She was found to have 146 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, the limit being 35.

Rhian Jackson, prosecuting, told the court that on the day of the offence, police received information about a female driving a white Kia Sportage.

The vehicle was found parked in a layby with Harley in the driver's seat.
She appeared intoxicated and slurred her words, the court heard.

After giving a positive roadside test, she was arrested and taken to custody at Llay.

Self-employed Harley - who works at home -  told officers that around an hour prior to leaving work at around 5.30pm, she'd consumed a full bottle of wine.

Chester and District Standard: Mold Law CourtsMold Law Courts (Image: Archive)

After that, she drove to a garage where she bought a further two bottles of wine - but hadn't consumed any of them before the police arrived.

She told the police she had been an alcoholic since 2020 when lockdown began and that she drank a bottle of wine a day - or sometimes two.

Since the incident she has sought counselling, the court heard, and has been in contact with an alcohol abuse agency.

Patrick O'Hanlon, defending, said: "This is a lady who has taken this matter extremely seriously.

"She has, in effect, commenced with the rehabilitation process herself.

"She's clearly in a vicious cycle [but] she is fit and able to undertake unpaid work."

Mr O'Hanlon conceded that his client's alcohol reading was "at the top end of the bracket."

District Judge Gwyn Jones told her: "It is clear that you, like so many other people, started to drink a little bit more than was good for you during the lockdown period.

"Regrettably, that continued."

The District Judge handed down a 12 month community order with one requirement of 160 hours of unpaid work.

Harley must also pay £85 costs and a £95 victim surcharge.

She received a three year driving ban.