A WREXHAM woman has been ordered to stay off the road for the next four-and-a-half years after flouting a driving ban whilst over the alcohol limit.

Ilona Chillia, of Rockwood Road in Brynteg, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court for sentence on Monday.

The 38-year-old had admitted offences of driving whilst over the alcohol limit, whilst uninsured and disqualified.

Prosecutor Justin Espie told the court that just before midnight on May 20, officers in Stansty Road saw a vehicle swerving from one side of the road to the other.

In a "clear indication of impairment," the manner of driving continued as the vehicle pulled into Rhosddu Road.

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When stopped, the driver - Chillia - had glazed eyes but was cooperative.

Once checks had been made, it was discovered she had been banned from driving for 25 months in November 2022 for a similar offence.

She gave a breath reading of 76 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath; the limit being 35.

Probation officer Pamela Roberts told the court the defendant had claimed she drove on that night as one of her children needed medicine.

And despite having had a few glasses of wine that day, she claimed she "felt ok to drive," and took the vehicle of a friend who had left it at her home earlier.

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Mr Roberts said: "She accepts she has made some bad decisions.

"It is an emerging pattern of behaviour linked to alcohol and motoring."

Emma Simoes, defending, said: "She's very ashamed to be before you today.

"The reason she couldn't get a taxi (to the shop to buy medicine) is her finances.

"It would have cost £20 to get a taxi to Tesco and she simply didn't have the money.

"She made a choice with the best of intentions towards her child and it was a very foolish decision."

Geoff Bull, chairman of the Magistrates, told the court: "This is quite serious - only seven months ago you were disqualified for 25 months.

The Leader:

"That's a lengthy disqualification and yet you got in a friend's car and have driven again under the influence."

She received a 12 month community order with 15 days of rehabilitation activity and a 120 day alcohol abstinence monitoring order.

A fresh 36 month driving ban was applied on top of what remains of her existing ban, making a total ban of four-and-a-half years.

She was also ordered to pay a £401 fine, £160 victim surcharge and £85 costs.