A DRINK-DRIVER was banned for 28 months after being caught driving while more than double the limit – twice in three days.

Christine Dines pleaded guilty to both offences at Pwllheli Magistrates' Court in North Wales yesterday.

Police spotted the 69-year-old, of Margerey Avenue, Scholar Green, driving her Saab car "at excessive speed" over road bumps in Pwllheli on January 10.

Prosecutor Ian Evans said the retired primary school teacher was driving to nearby Gimblet Rock with the boot of her car "broken and open".

Dines was found to have 169mg of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 80mg.

Mr Evans said the defendant was seen driving again two days later and was stopped by police.

The prosecutor added: "A blood test taken showed 231mg of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood – just short of being three times the limit. She was charged with the second offence."

Sion Hughes, defending, said that Dines was "deeply ashamed" to be at court and was concerned that there were two incidents within two days of each other.

He said the widow was previously of good character and suffered health problems including curvature of the spine, arthritis and abdominal pain.

The defendant, who walked to court with the aid of a stick, was registered disabled, he added, and losing her licence would hit her "more than most".

Mr Hughes said: "She says there is no public transport where she lives and she will have to rely on taxis."

Dines was banned form driving for a total of 28 months and was also ordered to pay fines of £200 for each offence, as well as £85 court costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

She was offered a drink-rehabilitation course, which could reduce her ban by seven months if completed.