CONCERNED by the manner of Alice Edwards’ driving, police pursued her and were led on a 16-minute high-speed chase through Swindon town centre.

They saw her ignore red traffic lights, drive on the wrong side of the road to avoid pedestrians and avoid a stinger by mounting the pavement.

The 24-year-old was eventually stopped in Royal Wootton Bassett where they found her in a distressed state.

When she appeared before magistrates from custody she pleaded guilty to driving the X-reg VW Polo dangerously in the early hours of Saturday morning.

She also pleaded guilty to a further charge of failing to provide a specimen of breath for analysis.

The court heard from prosecutor Michelle Hewitt that Edwards, of Newnton Grove, Malmesbury, had taken police on a chase through the streets of Swindon and Royal Wootton Bassett shortly before 3am.

During those 16 minutes she went through three sets of red lights, was seen weaving onto the opposite side of the carriageway and driving the wrong side of a number of keep left bollards.

At various points they clocked her driving between 50 and 60mph in a 30mph zone, and driving on the wrong side of bollards on the Magic Roundabout to avoid a stinger in the road.

She also mounted the pavement to avoid another stinger before being finally stopped by another stinger in Royal Wootton Bassett at 3.05am when she was arrested.

Her first specimen provided a reading of 32 microgrammes – three microgrammes under the limit – but she failed to provide the required second reading.

Defending, Nicola Shaw told the court that her client was masking issues she had with alcohol misuse, but she had been engaging with self-help services of her own volition to tackle the problem.

A pre-sentence report was ordered and Edwards was released on conditional bail with a 7pm-7am curfew which would be electronically monitored. They also imposed an interim driving disqualification.