A FORMER heroin addict who drove after taking drugs has been spared jail.

Melissa Yvonne Duncan, of Castle Hills, Northallerton, drove a Vauxhall Astra in Darlington after taking Alprazolam tablets on December 28.

Magistrates in Newton Aycliffe heard how she took the car, which belonged to her friend, without consent and was a disqualified driver with no insurance.

Duncan, 33, pleaded guilty to all offences.

Her solicitor, Stephen Andrews, said Duncan had been working to turning her life around since discovering she was pregnant.

He said she had been clean since December and was cooperating with various support agencies.

Duncan was sentenced to 18 weeks, suspended for 18 months. She must complete 30 rehabilitation days and was banned from driving for 36 months.