A Bristol mum-of-four was caught drink-driving after a friend’s Uber "failed to turn up", a court heard.
Mary Njoki, 37, of Manor Road, drank wine with friends after passing her nursing exams on December 2 last year.
After a friend's taxi didn’t arrive, Njoki offered to drop them home - but was found to be over the limit when she was stopped by police.
Read more: Why police helicopter was flying low over Bristol
Bristol Magistrates' Court heard how Njoki, a student nurse with four children aged 20, 12, nine and four, was pulled over on Badminton Road in Coalpit Heath at around 11.45pm.
District Judge Lynne Matthews told the court yesterday (Thursday, January 13) how Njoki was stopped after another motorist reported her for “driving from one side of the road to another and braking randomly".
She produced a reading of 54 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.
Ms Brown, defending, said Njoki disputes what was claimed in a “hearsay call” by another driver.
“Ms Njoki says the call was likely from the driver behind her. She was religiously following the speed limit and the driver behind was trying to overtake her,” Ms Brown said.
She said Njoki is “really regrettable” about the offence.
“She had just passed her exams and had some wine. She had no idea she would be over the limit,” she added.
“She needed to give a friend a lift home because an Uber didn’t turn up.”
Njoki pleaded guilty to one charge of drink-driving.
Judge Matthews fined Njoki £294 in total, made up of a £175 fine, £85 in costs and a £34 surcharge.
She also banned Njoki from driving for 14 months, which will be reduced by 14 weeks providing Njoki completes a drink driver rehabilitation course by October 4, 2022.
Sign up for our new Bristol's Court Insider newsletter for the latest court and crime news - from arrests to trials and sentencings
