A WOMAN who lost control of her car causing a head-on crash while more than twice over the drink drive limit was handed a community order and fine.

Katherine Elizabeth Caton, 46, of Church Lane, Hampton Bishop, pleaded guilty to drink driving following a crash on Dinmore Hill on February 21.

Lesley Ashton, prosecuting, said that a first hearing when Caton pleaded guilty was adjourned while additional charges relating to the crash were considered, but none were added.

The incident happened just before 3pm police officers were called to the scene of a crash between a Suzuki and Citroen on the A49.

Mrs Ashton said: "The Citroen Picasso had collided with the front of the Suzuki.

"There were no occupants in the Citroen however five metres further along the grass verge there was a distressed female who was the defendant.

"When police approached her she smelt of intoxicant, her eyes were very red and glazed over.

"She confessed to have been drinking and driving the Citroen. At that point she was given a breath test and blew 108. She was arrested and taken to hospital in an ambulance before being checked over by medical staff and discharged.

"When she was taken to Hereford police station she blew two samples for analysis with the lowest reading being 95 which was a high reading as the limit is 35.

"She was interviewed by police and said she had been driving up the hill and overtaking when her car slid out of control and onto the other side.

"There were found to be no defects on the vehicle."

Chris Reid, mitigating, said that on February 21, Caton had gone to a friends who lived in the Dinmore Hill area and had lunch with them.

He added: "At the time she was suffering from a cold and had several drinks from hand poured measures. She didn't realise the amount she had drank and felt perfectly capable of driving although the facts don't support that.

"She carried on down the A49 to another friend's house over Dinmore Hill. She moved out to overtake and lost control veering into the other lane and resulting in a minor collision with no injuries.

Magistrates disqualified Caton from driving for 24 months which could be reduced by six months on completion of a drink driving course.

She was also ordered to complete 14 days of an accredited programme, a drink driving programme and a rehabilitation requirement for 20 days.

Caton was also ordered to pay a £110 fine, £135 court costs and a £60 victim surcharge.