A Loughgall woman who was caught drink driving the day after her birthday has been disqualified for 12 months.
Court heard the 49-year-old had gone to pick up vodka when she got involved in an accident which brought her to the attention of police.
Michelle Wilson, 49, of Annahugh Park, pleaded guilty to driving without due care or attention and driving with excess alcohol at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Court heard that on July 5, at around 6.45pm, police were called to a two-vehicle collision on the Red Lion Road, Portadown.
When they arrived, officers found a tractor parked in a lay-by with a Volkswagen Polo in a ditch 30 metres further along the same road.
The defendant had been the driver of the Polo and court heard blood taken from Wilson was forensically tested showing that she had 236mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood.
Court heard the defendant had been driving for 23 years and had a clean licence.
Defence solicitor Joseph McDonald stated: “The night prior had been Ms Wilson’s birthday and she instructs she had been drinking until 5 or 6am.
“She had also been taking medication which she stopped the night before her birthday.”
He continued: “On this day, she had gone with a friend to pick up vodka to continue her birthday celebrations.
“She had been on her way home when the tractor came out of a side road and she had to swerve to avoid it.”
Mr McDonald informed the court that following the incident Wilson had attended a rehabilitation programme in Newry and now abstained from alcohol.
The defendant was disqualified from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay a fine of £375, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 14 weeks.
