A drink driver who was twice over the limit smashed into the back of a van at a red traffic light after downing a full bottle of Prosecco.
Chloe Harris, 23, crashed into the back of the Renault van when she was driving her Audi A1 from the Sky Bar in Bury to her friend’s house, according to Manchester Evening News.
The driver of the van was left with neck pain as a result of the collision, Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard.
On arrival at the scene, police understood she was drunk due to her ‘slurred speech, being unsteady on her feet and glazed eyes’.
Harris, of Heywood, Rochdale, provided a positive breathalyser result at the roadside and was taken to the police station where she gave another two breath tests.
The lowest reading was 76 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - twice the legal limit of 35 milligrams.
The sales rep pleaded guilty to driving whilst over the alcohol limit and was handed a £500 fine by Manchester JPs.
Prosecutor Tina Cunnane told the court that on June 14 this year there was a road traffic collision at the junction of Angouleme Road and Manchester Road in Bury.
“The defendant collided with a Renault van, the driver suffered some pain and neck discomfort,” she said.
“The police attended and it was clear from speaking to her that she was intoxicated.
“She was slurring her speech, unsteady on her feet and her eyes were glazed.
“The driver of the van had been stationary at the red traffic light and the defendant had a passenger in her vehicle.”
Ms Cunnane added that Harris provided a positive sample at the roadside of her breath and was taken to the police station where she provided a further two readings the lowest being 76 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.
The legal limit is 35 milligrams.
In her police interview she told officers that she had been to Ramsbottom Cricket Club then went onto the Sky Bar in Bury.
She said she drove from there and was going to her friend’s house when she crashed into the van.
She confirmed she drank a full bottle of Prosecco, and when asked if she could have been over the limit, she said ‘no’.
Harris was said to have no previous convictions.
Appearing unrepresented, Harris told the court: “First of all I want to apologise - it’s completely out of character for me.
“I’ve driven for five years and had a full clean driving licence.
“It was genuinely just a silly mistake.”
Harris was handed a £500 fine and ordered to pay £50 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.
She was also disqualified from driving for 19 months.
Don't miss the latest Scottish crime and courts news from the Daily Record. Sign up to our Criminal Record newsletter here .
