Solent
A woman who was caught driving four children from school to a playground while three times over the drink drive limit has been given a two year driving ban.
Helen Storr, 45, from Hampshire, collected four children from school and drove them to a playground last November. She watched the children playing as she drank wine in her car, Southampton Crown Court heard.
A passer-by called police after spotting her 'swigging from what looked like a vodka bottle'. She was breathalysed by police 20 minutes later, who found she had actually poured wine into a beaker.
She gave a reading of 96mg. The legal limit is 35mg.
She admitted being drunk and in charge of a minor and drink driving, and was given a two year driving ban and a community sentence.
Keely Harvey for the defence said Ms Storr had turned to drink to help cope with the stress caused by her mum's deteriorating health and her own medical issues, saying: "There is true remorse and a true feeling of shame."
The court was also told she has not touched alcohol since the incident in November 2011.
Judge Susan Evans QC, said: "You were driving a motor vehicle while four young children were in it. You were nearly three times over the limit. It is unforgivable in many ways. Thankfully nobody was harmed.
"No doubt the realisation of what you did that day has been a shock to you and you are remorseful and ashamed."