A SHEPTON Beauchamp woman who was caught drink driving while being followed by an ambulance was not aware that she was already disqualified from driving.

Mairi Stewart was driving through Merriott after having a large drink and was noticed by an ambulance driver who saw her driving slowly and wobbly and then hit a kerb

When she was pulled over it was also discovered that she had been previously banned from driving in her absence after accumulating over 12 penalty points.

She failed a breath test and was arrested, and when taken into custody was found to be more than double the drink drive limit.

Stewart, 64, of Buttle Close, admitted charges of drink driving and driving while disqualified on August 29 when she appeared before Somerset Magistrates at Yeovil.

Prosecutor Ann Ellery said that on the evening in question the defendant was driving along Broadway in Merriott when an ambulance started following her.

“The ambulance driver saw Stewart drive into a kerb in a poor manner and was slow and wobbly,” she said.

“She suddenly stopped, and the ambulance driver pulled over to see if she was ok and could smell alcohol on her breath.”

After failing a breath test Stewart was taken into custody and gave a reading of 73mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, the legal limit being 35mcg of alcohol. It was also found that she had an expired licence following a disqualification imposed for a totting of penalty points.

Greg Peters, defending, said that his client was anxious about a meeting she had to attend and had a glass of alcohol which put her over the limit.

“She was unaware that she had been disqualified as she was not present in court when the ban was imposed and expresses her genuine remorse for what has happened,” he added.

Stewart was banned from driving for 24 months and fined £227 with £85 costs and a £90 victim surcharge.