Took drink while she collected husband

Judith McDade, Beresford Hill, Dromore, was fined £200 last Thursday at Banbridge Magistrates Court for driving with excess alcohol in breath on May 21 this year.

She was also banned for 12 months and ordered to pay a £15 offender’s levy.

If she completes a course for drink driving the ban would be reduced to nine months.

The court heard that at 12.55am police saw a vehicle mount a kerb at a ‘T’ junction on the Dromara Road.

They followed the car and at Beresford Hill they spoke to the driver who was the defendant.

There was a smell of alcohol on her breath and she failed a preliminary test. An evidential test gave a reading of 51.

A solicitor representing the defendant said she had been at home and her husband was out with some friendswhenshe got a call to collect him and she joined him for one drink.

The solicitor said she had a completely clear record.

She lived in the country and had to commute to Lisburn where she worked as a nursery assistant.