A teacher who was caught drink driving after drinking cider at a school fair has been given a 20-month driving ban.

Louise Sarah Avis crashed into the back of a stationary vehicle parked on the side of the road in Leigh-On-Mendip.

When the police arrived at the scene they found the defendant with her car which had severe front end damage.

The car she collided with ended up 20 metres down the road and when she was breathalysed she was found to be double the drink drive limit.

Avis, 39, of Mattick Road, Chilcompton, pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle on Leigh Street, Leigh-On-Mendip, on June 22 after consuming excess alcohol when she appeared before the court at Yeovil.

Prosecutor Richard Parkhouse said police received a call at 10.50pm and were told of a two vehicle collision where a Vauxhall Astra being driven by Avis had collided with a parked vehicle and the road was blocked as a result.

The police and an ambulance crew attended and found the defendant's vehicle with the other one about 20 metres up the road.

"Avis's car had severe front end damage, consistent with a collision, and its hazard lights were flashing and the other vehicle had sustained damage due to the impact," he said.

"The defendant was stood by her car visibly shaking and upset and confirmed she had been driving the vehicle.

"When she was told she would be required to take a breath test she started hyperventilating because she was so upset."

She eventually did provide a sample which gave a positive result and then said 'I'm going to lose my job. I went to the school fair and had some cider'."

At the police station a further test revealed a reading of 70mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, the legal limit being 35mcg of alcohol and during interview she said she had been an "idiot".

Avis told the magistrates that she relied on her teaching job and added: "If I could turn the clock back I really would.

"I will do anything to make it right and thank God no one else was hurt."

Alongside the disqualification the defendant was fined £438 with £85 costs and a £43 victim surcharge.


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