An Afghan war veteran who knocked down a cyclist while drunk at the wheel claims she had been fleeing a triggering conversation about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Emma Fullagar, who was more than double the legal alcohol limit to drive, says the divisive topic set off the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) she developed during her deployment overseas.

The 49-year-old jumped in her van and shortly after collided with a cyclist on the A258 Deal Road in Dover, knocking the rider off their bike and down a bank.

The incident was witnessed by police who had been driving behind Fullagar at the time.

The former soldier, who lives in Renfrewshire, Scotland, failed a breathalyser at the scene and was later charged with drink-driving.

She admitted the offence as she appeared at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on July 31 with her service dog, a rottweiler, by her side - an allowance made because of the anxiety she suffers alongside her PTSD.

The court was told that on July 10 Fullagar had been drinking at The Stag pub in Deal before helping out at a nearby funfair.

Victoria Aked, prosecuting, recalled how she was later seen by police driving her white Nissan Primastar panel van.

“Officers were on patrol in a marked police vehicle and were behind a van going downhill on a right-hand bend, which then went into a left-hand bend,” she said.

“The van started to drift towards a cyclist and then hit the cyclist and knocked the rider down the bank at the side of the road.”

As one officer checked on the cyclist - who was uninjured - another went to speak to Fullagar and could smell alcohol in her van.

“She told the officers she had just been to The Stag pub and had had a drink,” the prosecutor added.

“She was given a roadside breath test and failed it.

“It was an unacceptable standard of driving, but no one was injured.”

Fullagar was arrested and taken to a police station, where tests revealed she had 73 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of her breath - the legal limit is 35.

It was the second time she had been caught drink-driving, having been convicted of the same offence in Scotland in 2018.

Her solicitor, James Langridge, told the court Fullagar, who was in the Army between 2001 and 2012, previously toured in Afghanistan and has combat PTSD as a result.

“Her mental health has worsened recently because of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and she had been drinking more excessively,” he added.

“A gentleman had raised the issue of the conflict and she had to leave.

“She would not have [driven] otherwise. She understands the public risk and has genuine remorse.”

Mr Langridge added that Fullagar had been struggling with alcohol misuse since her 2018 conviction - an offence he said was triggered by the death of her father.

“She is aware she will be disqualified from driving,” he said.

“Her mum lives in Maidstone and she’s been unwell. She’s been regularly travelling here [to Kent] to support her.

Fullagar, who receives benefits, wrote a letter to Deputy District Judge Claire Luxford to explain more about her current situation.

Addressing her after reading the note, the judge said: “Thank you for writing the letter - it’s background and gives me a better understanding [of your situation].

“It’s not an excuse, but an explanation as to why you decided to drive the vehicle.

“However, it was a high reading - 35 is the limit and the offence is aggravated by the fact you collided with the cyclist.

“You could have been appearing for a more serious offence, but there was no injury.

“You have a similar offence in Scotland for drink-driving, but I can see the positive measures you’ve taken to deal with alcohol.”

Judge Luxford fined Fullagar £120 and banned her from driving for 20 months.

She must also pay a £48 victim surcharge and £85 court costs, settling her debt to the court at a rate of £20 a month.