A WOMAN who crashed her car into a ditch in a Flintshire village was more than three-and-a-half times the drink drive limit, a court heard.

A passing motorist helped Nicola Peers pull her silver BMW out the ditch in Treuddyn, but the defendant got back into the vehicle.

Prosecutor Justin Espie told North East Wales Magistrates’ Court: “The defendant tried to reverse and he (the motorist) realised that she was intoxicated and contacted the police.”

Peers produced a breath test reading of 129mcg in 100 ml of breath; the legal limit is 35.

Peers, 44, of Tan Capel, Betws Gwerfilgoch, near Corwen admitted drink driving on August 13 this year. She was sentenced to a 12-week prison term, but District Judge Gwyn Jones suspended that for 12 months.

Probation officer Andrew Connah said Peers had expressed genuine remorse for her behaviour and had sought help for her drinking.

Recalling issues with her late father was the trigger, he said.

“At the time of the offence she was on her way to work as a chef at a local restaurant,” said Mr Connah. “She had managed a care home but suffered a stroke three years ago. She was working extremely long hours which caused further stress, so she changed careers.

“The ban will cause her difficulties in future.”

Ian Barnes, defending, said: “This has made her realise that she needed professional help as she wasn’t getting it from the bottom of a bottle.”

Peers,was banned for 42 months and also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.

She has to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £122.