A DOG walker sobbed in court as she said she was sorry for driving whilst more than twice the legal drink drive limit.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court heard that Sharon Owen drank a bottle of wine before getting behind the wheel and driving to a supermarket on the afternoon of Thursday, September 19.

Joanne Hesse, prosecuting, said police received reports of a drunk female who had walked out of a shop in Sacriston and got into a Volkswagen Golf.

Officers who spoke to the 50-year-old at the scene said she complied with a road side breath test which showed 90mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, more than twice the legal limit of 35mg.

A report from the Probation Service said Owen, of College View, Esh Winning, had been feeling low at the time of the incident.

It continued: “On that day she came home, opened the fridge and the only thing in it was a bottle of wine and for some reason she drank it.

“She then made the very stupid decision to get in the car and go to the shop to get some food. She thought that she was okay.”

Owen, who pleaded guilty to one charge of driving a vehicle whilst over the legal alcohol limit, sobbed and told the court: “I’m sorry.”

She was disqualified from driving for 24 months and fined £235. She was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a victim surcharge of £32.