Over-the-limit driver drank to help her sleep

A security systems manager was found to be over the limit after going back to work because she could not sleep.
Blackpool Magistrates CourtBlackpool Magistrates Court
Blackpool Magistrates Court

Anna Lorenza drank three glasses of wine but still did not feel tired – so she first went out shopping and later travelled to her workplace in Wesham.

Lorenza, 49, of Hill Top Close, Freckleton, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

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Jim Mowbray, prosecuting, said a member of the public contacted police to say they had seen a woman staggering around in the car park of Tesco, Marton, before getting into a Peugeot on February 17 about 11.40pm.

About 2am police spotted the car and spoke to the defendant after she turned into her driveway.

A breath test showed 49 microgrammes of alcohol in Lorenza’s body – 35 is the limit. She had a previous drink-driving conviction from 2011.

Steve Nikolich, defending, said on the evening of the offence Lorenza found it difficult to sleep. She drank three glasses of wine, but still could not sleep so about 10pm she went shopping.

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Lorenza denied staggering about in the store car park. She had bought some clothes she was carrying without bags and it was windy, so she may have given the impression of staggering.

Returning home she still could not sleep so she went to her workplace and on the way back helped a farmer round-up a cow which had escaped. She said she had felt fully alert when driving.

Lorenza was banned from the road for three years, fined £500 with £85 costs and ordered to pay £50 victims’ surcharge by Blackpool magistrates.