A Harrogate woman has admitted driving to-and-from a school when drunk.

It was the second time she appeared in court this year for a virtually identical offence.

The latest case was heard at Harrogate Magistrates Court yesterday (March 20).

The woman, who cannot be named to protect the identities of the children, pleaded guilty to one count of drink-driving.

Mel Ibbotson, prosecuting, told the court police officers received a report from a local primary school at around 3.45pm on November 27 last year.

School staff had raised concerns about a woman who had collected her children whilst under the influence of alcohol.

Ms Ibbotson said police found the car on a kerb and the driver’s door was not fully closed.

Officers went to the defendant’s address, where she told them she had not consumed any alcohol.

The woman was arrested and gave a reading of 103 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood – the legal limit is 80 milligrams.

The court heard the woman later made a full admission to the offence when she was interviewed by police, telling officers she had drunk one-and-a-half glasses of wine before driving to the school. 

Ms Ibbotson added staff challenged the woman when she arrived at the school and asked her to walk home, but she chose to get behind the wheel.

The woman, who is in her 40s, was not legally represented in court.

Ms Ibbotson cited some mitigating factors offered by the defence at her previous hearing, including that she has attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and social services are now involved with her family.

The woman was banned from driving for 36 months.

She was also ordered to pay the court £253, which comprised a £120 fine, a £48 surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs.