Downham Market drink-driver caught swerving on A10 West Winch awaits sentencing after being almost four times the limit

A drink-driver who was seen swerving “all over the road” before pulling into a post office car park was almost four times the limit.

Isabel Rowe, 33, of London Road, Downham, appeared in Lynn Magistrates’ Court last Thursday, where she pleaded guilty to drink-driving on April 24.

Prosecutor Stephen Munton told magistrates that a member of the public called 999 after seeing a blue Mini driving “all over the road” on the A10 at West Winch.

The vehicle was then seen pulling into the West Winch Village Stores car park, and Rowe was spotted getting out of the car and looking unsteady on her feet.

She went into the shop to buy tobacco and then went to get back into her car.

Police then arrived at the scene and could smell alcohol on Rowe’s breath, and noted she had glazed eyes.

A roadside breath test was conducted, which came back with a reading of 126mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit to drive is 35mcg.

In mitigation, Rowe was represented by Elizabeth Symonds, who explained that Rowe was struggling with personal issues at the time of the offence.

Ms Symonds said: “She tells me that sadly six months ago her mother died from cancer. She’s found it very difficult to cope with life.

“She had been drinking that evening and she felt desperate and wanted to see a friend.

“When the police arrived, she complied with all requests and hasn’t had any alcohol since this incident.”

Ms Symonds said that Rowe has taken action herself and has seeked professional help with her drinking.

Due to the amount of alcohol consumed, Rowe could be at risk of being handed a prison sentence or alternatively a community order.

Magistrates, led by William Hush, decided that a pre-sentence report should be carried out by the probation service before deciding how to deal Rowe’s case.

In the meantime, Rowe was handed an interim driving disualification – and she is expected to be back in court on July 27.

She has been released on unconditional bail.