Mercedes driver from Ashford banned from the road after getting behind wheel in Canterbury while over the legal limit
05:00, 31 January 2023
updated: 16:01, 31 January 2023
A woman seen weaving her Mercedes across the road has been banned for drink-driving after it was found she was narrowly over the legal alcohol limit.
Jamie Couzens was stopped by police on the A28 near Canterbury and, after showing signs of impairment, admitted to officers she had been drinking.
The 36-year-old failed a roadside breathalyser and was taken to a police station, where tests showed she had 41 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of her breath. The legal limit is 35.
Couzens, from Kennington, Ashford, was charged with drink driving and admitted the offence when she appeared at Folkestone Magistrates' Court on January 25.
The court heard she had been stopped by police on Christmas Eve last year.
Dylan Bradshaw prosecuting said: "After police stopped the vehicle and spoke to her she showed signs of impairment and failed the roadside breath test. She's of previous good character."
Defending herself, Couzens, who works for a construction company, said: "I am sorry - it was out of character for me."
No other details about where Couzens had been on the night she was pulled over were revealed during the hearing.
District Judge Justin Barron fined Couzens £438 and banned her from the road for 12 months.
She was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £175 and £85 court costs.