A TRAINEE teacher was spared a “telling off” by magistrates after she admitted drink driving.

Joanna Stanley admitted driving while over the legal limit in Worcester earlier this year when she appeared before magistrates in Kidderminster on July 2.

The court heard how the 23 year-old had been out with her boyfriend for a meal, where she had had a large glass of wine. On the way home, her Fiat 500 was spotted by police officers travelling slightly above the speed limit.

Emily Clewer, prosecuting, said: “When the driver of the car pulled over, she said she had had two glasses of wine and failed the roadside breath test.”

The roadside test returned a reading of 51 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, so the 23 year old, of Kent Road, Rubery, was arrested.

Ms Clewer told the court Stanley was of good character and had no previous convictions.

Garry Harper, representing Stanley, said: “On the night in question she had been out with her boyfriend, with whom she went out to dinner. “During that time, she had a large glass of wine and after the meal they went somewhere else, that is why she was out quite late. There, she had another glass of wine and at no point did she feel she was over the limit.”

Mr Harper told the court Stanley was going faster than the speed limit because the police car following her was unmarked, making her move off slightly quicker as it was close behind her.

He also said she was taken away in handcuffs and taken to Hereford, something he could not understand. He added: “She was taken away in handcuffs, I have no idea why as that is usually only done when there is an escape risk or risk of someone becoming violent – she had never been arrested in her life. She was also taken all the way to Hereford Police Station. Again, I have no idea why.”

The court heard how Stanley is due to begin work as a teacher soon and that she “would never be before the court again.” Chair of the bench Gareth Thomas disqualified Stanley from driving for 12 months, and ordered her to pay a total of £839. He said: “Normally, I do a right old telling off, but you are of good character, so there is nothing else to say.”