A WOMAN who was training to be a paramedic was caught drink driving by police.
Sarah Jewitt, aged 24, of St Patricks Close, Evesham, admitted the offence when she appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court.
Lauren Millichip, prosecuting, said Jewitt was caught in a Ford Fiesta in West Road, Bretforton near Evesham at noon on August 6 this year.
The prosecutor said when police spoke to Jewitt they asked her if she had had anything to drink.
"She said she had one drink of wine," the prosecutor.
"There was an empty wine bottle (in the car)."
After failing a roadside breathalyser test Jewitt went to the police station where she gave an evidential sample of 70 mcg in 100 ml of breath - the legal limit being 35mcg.
Miss Milichip added that magistrates could view that the offence was aggravated by Jewitt carrying a passenger at the time.
Matt Jackson, defending, said Jewitt had been training as a student paramedic so the inevitable loss of her licence would have a "significant impact" on her.
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The solicitor explained that the empty bottle of wine was from a previous time and had not been disposed of, and there had been no poor driving that had alerted police.
Mr Jackson added: "She has no previous convictions.
"She knows she shouldn't have done what she did.
"She throws herself at your mercy."
Jayne Burton, chairman of the magistrates bench, told Jewitt that she would be banned from driving for 17 months.
The chairman said they had took into account aggravating and mitigating factors including Jewitt had been carrying a passenger at the time, but had no previous convictions and a clean licence.
The defendant was given the opportunity to take the drink-drive awareness course which, if she successfully completes, will reduce the ban length by 17 weeks.
Jewitt was fined £262 and ordered to pay costs of £135 and victim surcharge of £105.
Jewitt was given 28 days to pay the total amount of £502 in full.
The case was heard on August 30.
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