Blackpool woman was 'so drunk' behind the wheel she didn't know she was driving - until she crashed
Francesca Bell was four times over the limit
A judge has told a Blackpool woman she was 'so drunk' behind the wheel of her car that it was 'like driving a loaded gun'
Francesca Bell was asked what had happened by a passenger in the car she hit but she just laughed.
Bell, a 49-year-old private care worker, of Gamble Road, Thornton Cleveleys, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.
She was sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment suspended for 12 months with up to 15 days rehabilitation by the probation service, disqualified from driving for three years and ordered to pay £85 costs with £115 victims' surcharge by Blackpool magistrates.
Presiding magistrate, Graham Curry, told her: "The level of alcohol you had in your blood at the time was like you driving a loaded gun. You are very lucky not to be going to prison today."
Prosecutor, Jim Mowbray, said on February 24 at 7.20pm Bell was driving a Ford Fiesta on Fleetwood Road North, Thornton Cleveleys, when she crashed into the rear of a car occupied by two men which was stopped at red traffic lights.
The passenger from the crashed car saw an empty bottle of vodka in the footwell of Bell's car and took her ignition keys.
Police found Bell was unable to talk coherently and then she asked to go home.
A blood test showed 140 micrograms of alcohol in her body - 35 is the limit.
In a report to the court, probation officer Eleanor Cordwell, told magistrates that Bell said her anti-anxiety medication had been increased but not yet taken effect.
On the day of the offence she argued with her partner and then used alcohol as a crutch.
Ms Cordwell said: "She did not know how much she had drunk. She only realised she was driving when she crashed. As a result of this offence she says she does not want to use alcohol again."
Defence lawyer, David Charnley, said his client, who had no previous convictions, deeply regretted what had happened.
Mr Charnley added: "She is deeply traumatised by having to appear in a criminal court. This is perhaps a lady who will never come before the court again.