A WOMAN was caught drink driving by police after roadworks directed her from a late night trip to pick up booze from Tesco into the town centre.

Halton Magistrates Court heard on Thursday how Leanne Shaw, aged 27, attempted to drive her sports car despite being more than twice over the legal limit.

Shaw was trying to travel from her home on Normanby Close, Bewsey, to the supermarket on Winwick Road at 2.20am on November 10.

But because of roadworks she followed a diversion and ended up driving onto Bridge Street.

The court heard the defendant lost control of her blue Jaguar, reversing into a parked hackney taxi cab without realising.

A taxi rank marshall alerted police, who followed the mum-of-two onto Mersey Street.

She was stopped on Wilderspool Causeway, breathalysed and arrested.

Two further samples were taken by police with a reading of 88 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath recorded. The legal limit is 35.

Alison Warburton, prosecuting, said: “During her police interview the defendant said she had been drinking at home with friends and didn’t consider herself to be drunk or feel drunk.

“She wanted to go to Tesco to buy more alcohol and ended up following a diversion.”

Shaw, who works part time in a customer services role at Warrington Borough Council, pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle with excess alcohol.

Gary Schooler, defending, said the taxi hit by Shaw’s Jaguar was not significantly damaged. No one was injured.

He said: “It was evident to officers when speaking to Ms Shaw she was intoxicated.

“She says she was feeling emotional because her friend died four days before this incident.

“They gathered together to remember their friend.

“She expressed to me real remorse for what happened.”

Mr Schooler added Shaw is the sole carer for her two children, one of whom needs regular treatment at Alder Hey Hospital for ‘significant medical problems’.

Magistrates banned the defendant from driving for 22 months.

She was offered a driving course which, if completed, will reduce the ban.

Shaw was also fined £300 and told to pay £85 costs and a victim surcharge of £30.