Accounts manager found wandering drunk near her wrecked BMW that she said an unnamed friend crashed at 5am is banned from driving
Kerry-Anne Cobb, 33, was arrested just yards from her 2-series vehicle in Culcheth, Cheshire, at 5.30pm on May 11 after she had earlier called police to report it as stolen.
She was asked to provide a breath sample amid suspicions she had been driving the car but refused and was charged.
When quizzed later, Cobb, from Culcheth, who works for a loans company, admitted being drunk at the time of her arrest but insisted an unnamed friend had been driving the car when it crashed and 'told her what to do'.
At Warrington Magistrates Court, Cobb pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen of breath for analysis when suspected of being the driver.
She was fined £769 and ordered to pay a surcharge of £308 and £85 in costs.
Cobb was also disqualified from driving for 30 months but was offered the drink drive rehabilitation course which will reduce the ban by a quarter if completed.
She had faced up to six months jail under sentencing guidelines.
Angela Blackmore, prosecuting, said: 'The incident took place on May 11 at 5.30am. Officers were called to reports of a damage only car accident involving a grey BMW 2 series and that was on Newchurch lane in Culcheth.
'At the same time the defendant calls police to report the theft of her vehicle. She was subsequently situated on Newchurch Lane.
'Officers attended and located the defendant. They found her under the influence of alcohol and she was arrested.
'Due to the lack of an electronic screening device available at that time she was arrested for driving while unfit through drink or drugs.
'She was taken to the custody facility for authorised detention.
'She was asked to comply with the procedure of providing two samples of breath. During the procedure she declined to provide a sample.
'When asked if she would provide a sample she said "No". When asked if she would provide a sample after being given the statutory warning that she would be prosecuted if she failed to provide, she said "No".
'She did not offer any medical reason for not being able to provide a sample for analysis.
'This was a deliberate refusal associated with poor standard of driving and being clearly under the influence.
'She was not required to provide a sample until three hours after the initial time.'
Cobb had one previous conviction on her record as a youth for an 'unrelated matter.'
Representing herself, she told the court: "I was mentally suffering at the time. I was drunk. It was my friend who was driving and telling me what to do. I just feel ashamed."
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