A Pembroke guest-house owner drank a litre of wine before getting behind the wheel of her Mercedes, a court has heard.

Deborah Elizabeth Robinson, of Upper Lamphey Road, Pembroke, pleaded guilty to driving while over the legal alcohol limit when she appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates on Tuesday, January 8.

Prosecutor Vaughan Pritchard-Jones told the court that police were contacted after Robinson’s Mercedes was seen crossing the central white line and causing oncoming traffic to take evasive action on the A477 just after 5pm on December 13.

Robinson, 57, was found sitting in her car in Pembroke railway station car park, and was described as being clearly under the influence of alcohol, unsteady on her feet, with slurred speech and glazed eyes.

She was found to have 95mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, the legal limit is 35mg.

Mr Pritchard-Jones said the high reading and evidence of bad driving were aggravating features.

“It was a busy trunk-road, and there was a risk of accident.

“She stated she had consumed four 250ml glasses of wine on an empty stomach, which is a litre of wine, but would not say where. She said she was very sorry for her actions and expressed remorse.”

The court heard that Robinson, who ran a guest house with her husband, previously held a clean driving licence.

Mike Kelleher, defending, said: “Mrs Robinson apologises profusely for what occurred. It was out of character for her.”

Mr Kelleher added that Robinson met up with friends on the day in question.

“One thing led to another and before she realised it she was driving home. She is an occasional social drinker. She has never been in trouble before.”

He added: “She is so disgusted with herself that she has not driven since.”

Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order with 120 hours of unpaid work and ordered Robinson to pay £170 in costs and a surcharge.

She was banned from driving for 25 months.

The chairman of the bench said: “This is a very serious offence and it could have had much more serious consequences.”