A former school bus driver was caught drunk behind the wheel after her colleagues at a Northumberland pub reported her to the police.
Sarah MacKay had been drinking during the day with friends when she decided to drive to her evening shift at the Black Bull, in Wooler.
But, the 64-year-old appeared so intoxicated, that concerned colleagues rang the police as she tried to get back behind the wheel of here Ford Ranger to travel home.
Officers arrived and MacKay immediately confessed: "I'm so ashamed, I feel such a fool, I shouldn't have driven".
She was arrested and later gave a reading of 119 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath, the legal limit being 35.
MacKay, of Coldmartin Terrace, Wooler, near Alnwick, appeared at South East Northumberland Magistrates' Court on February 6, where she pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.
Eve McDonnell, prosecuting, said it was the evening of January 18 this year that MacKay showed up for work.
"At 6.25pm, police received a call to attend the Black Bull Hotel in Wooler," Mrs McDonnell said. "A member of staff had arrived for work after driving there very intoxicated.
"The member of staff was trying to leave and drive their vehicle again. Police immediately attended and spoke with the defendant."
MacKay knew why the officers were there, so immediately made the confession and was arrested.
During interview, she said: "I accept I'm guilty of the offence. I'm extremely embarrassed."
Ian O'Rourke, defending, told magistrates that MacKay had been struggling with the approaching two-year anniversary of the death of her husband and had been drinking during the day with friends.
He added: "She's driven for eight years driving school buses around. When she said she's ashamed, she really is."
The solicitor said it was a moment of "absolute madness" that would not be repeated. Magistrates fined MacKay £200 and banned her from driving for 28 months.
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