A WOMAN who had just split from her husband drank wine before driving through Durham city centre, narrowly missing other cars as she swerved along the road, a court heard.

Leann Sinclair, 32, was caught after police received reports of a Nissan Micra 'swerving and almost hitting the kerb'.

Ami Todd, prosecuting at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court, said: "The officer described the Micra almost colliding with a vehicle then swerved harshly, almost hitting another car

"The defendant said she had been arguing with her partner on the phone.

"She said she had been consuming wine and there was a positive breath test so she was taken to Durham Police Station."

There she was found to have 90 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of breath - about two and a half times over the drink-drive limit.

Mrs Sinclair, of Pringle Place, New Brancepath, Durham, pleaded guilty to drink driving.

Representing herself, she told the court: "It is my first offence, it is the first time I've been in court.

"I had a breakdown in my marriage.

"It (drink driving) was not acceptable and it was totally out of character and for that I apologise."

She was banned from driving for 23 months and magistrates ordered her to pay a £458 fine, £85 costs and a £45 victim surcharge.