DISTRICT Judge Nick Sanders at the Wirral court told a driver she had been a danger to herself and other road users through taking to the wheel when nearly three times over the legal alcohol level.

Freda Rhoda Mills, 58, of Ridgemere Road, Pensby, who attended court in a wheelchair, admitted drink-driving in Station Road, Storeton in December. Prosecutor Alan Currums said police followed Mills, whose car was drifting from side to side and nearly ran back into the police vehicle at a roundabout.

She was stopped and claimed: "I've had one brandy." A blood sample later showed 233 milligrams of alcohol. The limit is 80mg.

Paul Ford, defending, said it was a sad case.

He said Mills had not previously been in trouble and the experience of being arrested and held by the police had been punishment itself.

He said his client had had to overcome a number of personal problems over recent years.

Alcohol consumption was a matter of concern but had not led to any offending behaviour.

The judge said he gave credit for the guilty plea.

She was fined £200 and banned from driving for 32 months.