A WOMAN drank whisky after receiving bad news before heading out and flipping her car on its roof.

Ginette Pam Page was attempting to overtake another vehicle on the A470 between Bronllys and Brecon on March 4 when she abandoned the manoeuvre but hit a verge, skidded across the road and went through a hedge, flipping her Peugeot 207 and coming to a stop on the roof.

The 62-year-old pleaded guilty to drink driving at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates Court on Wednesday, March 24.

Prosecutor Stephen Davies said the incident happened around 3.20pm.

“The driver in front of the line of traffic had been overtaken by one vehicle, a lorry, then one other vehicle tried, pulled alongside her then back in, the back end caught the verge, then skidded across the road; she had to brake,” said Mr Davies.

“The car flipped and went through the hedge and landed on its roof.

“The police were called and spoke to the driver, the defendant, who appeared slightly intoxicated and had slurred speech and was unsteady on her feet. She was arrested.

“She told police she’d been at home and had some news which prompted her to have a drink, of Bells whisky. She estimated it had been a double measure. But she believed she’d be under the limit.

“During the manoeuvre, she oversteered and couldn’t correct it, and left the road. She said it was a mistake, she apologised and said she felt awful about it.”

Page gave a reading of 40 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit is 35mcgs.

Paul Lewis, acting for the defendant, of Neuadd Terrace, Bronllys, said Page had only one previous mark on her record, another drink driving offence that dated back to 2002.

“She is a stranger to the court bar one offence dating back nearly 20 years,” he said.

“Having crashed the car, she stayed at the roadside and was fully cooperative. She complied with testing and pleaded guilty.

“She knows the limit, had she blown 39, I doubt whether she would have been prosecuted but the line has to be drawn somewhere. Whatever it is, it’s at the lower end of the spectrum, but she accepts she’s committed the offence and needs to be punished.

“It’s a sad situation. She’d received a distressing phone call just before leaving the house. She has lost family and friends due to coronavirus. Earlier this week she watched the anniversary programme, which brought back some memories and made her tearful.

“She did not believe she would be over the limit, had she thought she would be she would not have driven.”

Page was disqualified from driving for 14 months but can reduce this by 14 weeks if she successfully completes a drink drive rehabilitation course. She was also fined £120 and must pay £85 costs and a £34 surcharge.