A MOTORIST got behind the wheel to drive home when she was twice the drink-drive limit because her taxi was an hour late and it was raining.Rachel McKoen told South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court she had made the decision to drive herself and her friends home because she felt alright after consuming a large amount of alcohol.

A MOTORIST got behind the wheel to drive home when she was twice the drink-drive limit because her taxi was an hour late and it was raining.

Rachel McKoen told South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court she had made the decision to drive herself and her friends home because she felt alright after consuming a large amount of alcohol.

The 35-year-old pleaded guilty to a charge of drink driving at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court on Friday .

Gareth Davies, prosecuting, said: “It was 1am on May 26 that officers saw a car leave the Trimley Sports and Social Club and drive off at high speed.

“It was stopped in High Road, Trimley, and the driver was breathalysed.”

The reading showed McKoen, of High Road West, Felixstowe, had 72 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 micrograms.

Michael Stephenson, mitigating, said: “She went for a meal where she had a glass of wine. She was intending to drive home afterwards.

“But while there she received a text message from a friend who was at the social club. She drove over there and spent the evening.

“Her and her friends decided to get a taxi home but it did not arrive and they spent an hour waiting in the rain.

“She said she didn't feel too bad and so got into the car.”

McKoen was disqualified from driving for 20 months, fined £120, made to pay £20 court costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

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