A DRINK-DRIVER who crashed had been called into work unexpectedly after drinking the night before.

Hazel Sullivan, 57, was driving a Seat Ibiza on Jacktrees Road in Cleator Moor on the morning of November 14, Workington Magistrates’ Court heard.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said the defendant crashed into a verge on the road and another driver had to take evasive action.

Sullivan was sat in the passenger’s seat when police arrived. She complied with a roadside breath test which gave a reading of 113mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

She had to be taken to hospital to be checked over. She was then taken to the police station where she gave a reading of 70mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

Sullivan, of Main Street, Cleator, pleaded guilty to driving with alcohol level above the limit.

Mark Shepherd, defending, said: “This is a lady with no previous convictions. She pleads guilty today. This is a lady with positive good character within the community.

“She has been drinking the night before. She wasn’t expecting to work the following day. She was called in as a result of an emergency.

“When there is an emergency she puts the needs of others before hers. She should have said ‘sorry, no I can’t’. Her work is care in the community. You can have as many as 23 residents within the community that depend on you.

“She passed her test in 1985 and has never had a single penalty point in her life. It shouldn’t have happened. She is sorry and she is ashamed. She is held in highest esteem by her colleagues.”

Magistrates banned Sullivan from driving for 18 months, to be reduced by 18 weeks if she completes the drink-driver’s rehabilitation course.

She was fined £323 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £129 surcharge to fund victim services.