Laura Thompson, 64, who Bromley Magistrates’ Court heard was attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, was disqualified from driving for twelve months.
She pleaded guilty to being in charge of her black 4.3 litre Aston Martin in Tranquil Vale, Greenwich on July 4.
Prosecutor Hanna Colette told the court it was 8.30pm when a concerned member of the public called police to the location, just a three minute drive from Thompson’s home in Lee Park, Blackheath.
“She was outside the vehicle and had difficulty speaking to the police and was waving her hands around.”
A member of the public confirmed they stayed with Thompson due to concerns about the state she was in and obvious intention to drive her vehicle.
Her breath reading of 96 micrograms was nearly three times the drinks limit.
Thompson’s lawyer Jonny Pilkington told the court: “She held her hands up to the police at the scene.”
There were also physical and mental health issues she was struggling to cope with, the court heard.
“She turned to alcohol as a way of numbing the pain.
“She has been attending AA meetings and has gone from using alcohol regularly to not at all for a few months and has put her car up for sale.”
When questioned by District Judge Sarah Turnock, Thompson confessed to having a couple of drinks since her arrest.
“This is your third drink drive-related conviction, but there is no evidence you drove the car,” the judge told her. “I have to disqualify you.
“It is an incredibly serious offence to drive while disqualified. You could go to prison.”
Thompson must also complete a twelve-month Community Order, which includes a tagged two-month Alcohol Abstinence Monitoring Requirement.
“That means no alcohol for two months,” added Judge Turnock, ordering Thompson to also pay £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.
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