AN Ipswich mother who got behind the wheel while three times the drink-drive limit told police officers: “It's not like I have committed a crime.”Jobless Tina Griffiths, of Mallard Way, was spotted driving her Ford Ka in Hawthorn Drive on January 23 with a glazed look on her face.

AN Ipswich mother who got behind the wheel while three times the drink-drive limit told police officers: “It's not like I have committed a crime.”

Jobless Tina Griffiths, of Mallard Way, was spotted driving her Ford Ka in Hawthorn Drive on January 23 with a glazed look on her face.

When the 48-year-old was breathalysed, she was found to have 103mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg.

Andrea Reynolds, prosecuting at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court, said Griffiths told stunned police: “Have you not got better things to do?

“People are getting stabbed and killed. It's not like I have committed a crime - it's not serious.”

Mark Holt, mitigating, said his client had visited a pub on the night in question but had not planned to drink heavily. However, she decided to get behind the wheel after becoming upset over the course of the evening.

He said Griffiths, a mother to a 14-year-old son, was deeply embarrassed about the comments she made to the officers and wished to apologise.

“Alcohol has been a problem on and off over a period of time,” he said. “She had an abusive relationship and the drink has been an issue.

“There was nothing dangerous about the manner of her driving although driving with such a high alcohol reading is not desirable.

“Losing her licence will have an effect on her and her son.”

Mr Holt said Griffiths, who pleaded guilty to a charge of driving while over the alcohol limit, was on incapacity benefit because she suffered from depression and agoraphobia.

Magistrates delayed punishing Griffiths until a pre-sentence report was completed, but warned that she faces community service.

She was given an interim driving ban until she is next before the court on February 20.