A CARER who tried to take her friend to hospital after a night out in Devizes has been disqualified from driving.

Jessica Jane Smith, of Meadlands, Corston, was slapped with a 12 month disqualification at Salisbury Magistrates Court this morning after she pleaded guilty to drink driving on October 28.

The court heard how Smith thought she was sober enough to drive her friend to Bath Hospital after she had damaged the ligaments in her foot following a fall.

Duty solicitor Paul Jones said: “On the day in question, Miss Smith was at her friends in Devizes and the plan was to stay there but the young lady fell over causing significant ligament damage to her foot and her instinct was to go to hospital as quickly as possible and she felt okay to drive.

“However the police stopped her and she was over the limit. They were however kind enough to take her friend to the hospital.”

Smith, who was stopped on Bath Road after exceeding the speed limit, blew 65 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, where 35 micrograms is the legal limit.

Sentencing chair of the bench Martin Clarke said: “We have accepted your guilty plea and although in your own mind you were doing an act of mercy, it was misplaced.”

The 24-year-old was also fined £250 and ordered to pay fines of £85 and a victim surcharge of £30.