A 50-YEAR-OLD woman was arrested for drink-driving after travelling to Malvern Police Station, parking and going inside while over the limit.

Joanne Marandola admitted drink-driving when she appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court.

Nichola Ritchie, prosecuting, told magistrates that Marandola was witnessed driving along Victoria Road in her Smart car and parking in the station’s yard by a police officer, on the afternoon of January 24.

Inside the station, the officer told Marandola he suspected she had been drink-driving and asked her to take a breathalyser test, which she failed.

Marandola was then transferred to Worcester Police Station where she gave a reading of 69mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, the limit being 35mcg.

Miss Ritchie said that after being arrested, Marandola told officers that “she didn’t think she would be over the limit, having had one glass of wine”.

John Lynch, defending, explained that at lunchtime his client went for a drink with a friend, but was then called in by police to give a statement to officers about another matter, which led to her decision to drive to the station.

“She accepts it is her own fault she finds herself in this position,” Mr Lynch said.

Mr Lynch said the inevitable disqualification would have a serious impact on Marandola as she was a carer for her mother.

He added that she should receive full credit for her early guilty plea, co-operating fully with police, and highlighted that she had no previous convictions.

Magistrates disqualified her from driving for 18 months, which will be reduced by 25 per cent if she successfully completes a drink-drive awareness course.

Marandola, of Elgar Avenue, Malvern, was also fined £120, and ordered to pay costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £30 - a total of £285. She offered to pay the full amount within 28 days, which was accepted by chairman of the magistrates bench Brent Robertson.

The case was heard at the magistrates court on Thursday, February 7.