A DRINK-driver has avoided jail despite being caught behind the wheel with one of highest alcohol readings Suffolk police has come across.Jennifer Broadley is today facing a struggle to overcome alcohol addiction after she was discovered in her car with an alcohol reading five times the legal limit.

A DRINK-driver has avoided jail despite being caught behind the wheel with one of highest alcohol readings Suffolk police has come across.

Jennifer Broadley is today facing a struggle to overcome alcohol addiction after she was discovered in her car with an alcohol reading five times the legal limit.

But instead of giving her a jail sentence, District Judge Samantha Lee banned Broadley from the roads for five years and insisted she take part in an alcohol and substance abuse programme, warning she would face custody if she did not attend.

The 45-year-old of Cooper's Way, Barham, was found behind the wheel of a Daewoo car in Valley Road, Ipswich, on August 7.

Her alcohol reading was a whopping 172 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath.

A Crown Prosecution Service spokeswoman said: “The alcohol reading was almost five times the legal limit. This was one of the highest readings we have prosecuted in Suffolk.”

Appearing at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court yesterday Broadley pleaded guilty to the charge.

District Judge Samantha Lee declined to hear prosecution evidence and defence mitigation preferring to read the case details from files presented to her.

Addressing Broadley and referring to a previous conviction for a similar offence Judge Lee said: “You clearly have got some problems you have yet to deal with. You have not enjoyed coming back to court I'm sure.

“I'm sure it was explained to you that a reading such as this would normally result in custody. I'm not going to put you inside because that would make matters worse.

“You are using alcohol as a crutch and you need to take the help offered to you.”

Judge Lee imposed a four week prison sentence suspended for 18 months.

She added: “I going to disqualify you from driving for five years so the temptation to drive is out of your way completely.”

Broadley was also made the subject of an 18 month supervision order during which she will take part in an alcohol and substance abuse programme.

Judge Lee added: “If you do not attend then you will be brought back to court. No matter who is sitting they will activate the suspended sentence.

“I hope you are able to complete the help offered.”