BUSINESSWOMAN Julie Howes made a short journey in her car to get cigarettes after a night out boozing, a court heard.Howes' mistake cost her £150 in fines and the loss of her licence for a year.

BUSINESSWOMAN Julie Howes made a short journey in her car to get cigarettes after a night out boozing, a court heard.

Howes' mistake cost her £150 in fines and the loss of her licence for a year.

The 41-year-old took a taxi home after a night out before opting to drive to a garage, magistrates in Ipswich were told.

Howes is the latest to be named and shamed by the Evening Star for taking to the wheel after drinking.

The self-employed software tester was caught driving her Ford Ka in Ranelagh Road where she lives, South East Suffolk Magistrates were told.

She was stopped after police carried out a routine check.

A breath test showed 45 mcg of alcohol in 100 ml of breath. The legal limit is 35 mcg, said David Taylor, prosecuting.

Representing herself Howes apologised to the court and said: "I had been out that night and did get a taxi.

"I ran out of cigarettes when I got home. I had also run out of cat food. The garage was just metres down the road. It was a stupid mistake and I now know it was irresponsible."

Bench chairman Nicholas Ridley took into account her guilty plea. The ban will be reduced by three months if Howes successfully completes a drivers' rehabilitation course.

Howes was also ordered to pay £55 costs.