A DRIVER who tried to overtake on snow covered roads ended up rolling her car.

Blackburn magistrates heard when police arrived Leah Bateman was trapped.

She was released and as she was being taken to hospital in an ambulance a police officer noticed the “overwhelming” smell of alcohol.

Bateman, 42, of Wyre Crescent, Darwen, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

She was fined £120 with £85 costs and a £48 victim surcharge and banned from driving for 20 months.

Nasima Patel, prosecuting, said officers attended a road traffic incident on Bog Height Road at 4.50pm and found a car on its roof.

“Their first priority was to get the defendant safely out of her vehicle and then take her to hospital,” Said Miss Patel.

“An officer went in the back of the ambulance and immediately noticed the overwhelming smell of alcohol.”

Miss Patel said Bateman had overtaken the vehicle in front of her. She showed video footage of the scene which showed snow on the roadside.

“Given the road conditions at the time the overtaking manoeuvre was clearly an aggravating factor,” said Miss Patel.

Damien Pickup, defending, said the incident had had a profound impact on his client.

“She accepts she had been drinking, she shouldn’t have been driving and she shouldn’t have been driving in the manner described,” said Mr Pickup.

“She now realises that for two years before this incident she had a drink problem.”

He said Bateman had been drinking on a daily basis.

“Sometimes it takes a negative situation for some positives to come out,” said Mr Pickup.

He said immediately after the incident Bateman had given up work while she sorted things out. She has been attending Alcoholics Anonymous and has self-referred to a drug and alcohol agency.”

Mr Pickup said she had been attending a gym initiative in Darwen.

“She has not touched a drop of alcohol since this incident,” said Mr Pickup.

“Her plan is to continue this rehabilitation plan.”