A WOMAN who ran from the scene of a collision accepted she made "a stupid mistake."

Stephanie Oldland, of Maes Y Ficerdy in Rhos, appeared for sentence at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The 37-year-old had been convicted at a previous hearing of failing to provide a specimen for analysis and being a driver who failed to stop following a road accident.

Prosecutor Justin Espie said the collision, which happened in Poyser Street in Wrexham on June 14, saw the defendant run from the scene.

Her Citroen C3 caused damage to the bumper of the other vehicle.

Police found Oldland up the road and arrested her.

When asked to provide a sample of breath for analysis, she failed to do so.

After interviewing the defendant, a probation officer told the court: "On the day, she had been feeling down.

"She accepts she'd had alcohol and wasn't intending to drive anywhere.

"But she got in the car and in her words, it was a 'stupid mistake.'

"She said she ran off because she was scared.

"In terms of the fail to provide, she said because she's a smoker, she couldn't breathe for long enough to give the sample.

"In her own words, looking back, she said she's really sorry and she accepts the consequences of her actions.

"I take her remorse as being genuine; she was able to show an understanding of the seriousness of he situation she faces today."

Lorraine McClure, defending, told the court: "There was no deliberate refusal; this lady in fact failed the test.

"The police in their statement don't suggest she's tried to avoid breathing in the tube.

"I think this is an honest young lady who is very keen to work with probation."

District Judge Gwyn Jones told the defendant: "Ms Oldland, you were involved in a collision and you did not stop as a result - you made your way from there.

"Police then spoke to you some time after and you didn't give a sample of breath for analysis.

"There is evidence suggesting a high level of impairment and poor driving.

The Leader:

"My starting point is 12 weeks immediate custody. Most people don't understand that's the starting point. 

"But you're a mother of good character, and someone wo has had the sense to enter a guilty plea."

After weighing up the facts and mitigating features, District Judge Jones handed down a 12 month community order with 10 days of rehabilitation activity and a 32 month ban.

The defendant must pay a £200 fine, as well as £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.