A woman who got behind the wheel when she was more than twice the legal limit appeared at Harrogate Magistrates Court on Thursday (July 17).

Jill Harrington, of North Dalton in East Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to one offence of drink-driving.

Mel Ibbotson, prosecuting, told the court a member of staff at Days Inn at Wetherby Services saw Harrington at around 10.30am on May 18.

Harrington, 64, was staying at the hotel at the time, but the member of staff said she “appeared to be stumbling all over”.

The court heard the member of staff saw Harrington go to her room, before she returned to the lobby and left the building.

They then watched her get into a car and drive away.

Concerned Harrington was over the limit, the staff member called the police.

Ms Ibbotson said a named police constable found Harrington's vehicle parked near Days Inn at Wetherby Services, close to junction 46 on the A1(M).

The defendant told police she owned the car and had driven within the last 10 minutes.

Harrington was unsteady on feet, the court heard.

She gave a positive roadside breath sample and later recorded 82 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit being just 35 micrograms.

Harrington has been convicted of drink-driving a number of times previously.

‘Alcoholism is more powerful than anything I’ve known’

Brian Nuttney, defending, told the court Harrington is “very remorseful” for what happened.

She appeared visibly upset in court.

The court heard Harrington was on her way to show her dog at a competition in Scotland at the time.

She started drinking when she arrived at the hotel, Mr Nuttney said, adding she “does not know if that was due to loneliness or anticipation ahead of the show”.

Mr Nuttney told the magistrates Harrington has a “long-term and very difficult relationship with alcohol”, and she believes it is an illness.

Two of her family members have died from alcoholism, the court heard, but her dependence started in her 40s.

She has had periods of sobriety since, however.

Harrington believes her alcohol misuse stemmed from a traumatic incident in her childhood.

Mr Nuttney said she checked into a rehab centre in Bournemouth after committing the offence, where she planned to return after the hearing, and marked being 55 days sober on the day of the hearing.

He also read a statement to the court prepared by Harrington.

In it, she said her actions were “selfish and incomprehensible”, adding she is “adamant I will get back to a place of sobriety”.

“Alcoholism is more powerful than anything I have ever known”, she said.

The court heard Harrington has also helped other people who struggle with alcohol misuse and has actively sought to help herself.

Sentence

The chair of the magistrates said the bench had concerns over Harrington’s repeated drink-driving.

However, he said the bench wanted to congratulate her on being 55 days sober.

The case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

Harrington, who was banned from driving in the interim, will return to Harrogate Magistrates Court for sentence on August 28.