A PENSIONER from Conwy has been banned from the roads after she had to be airlifted to hospital following a crash while she was drink-driving.

Andrea Alcock, 70, of Llys Dolhaiarn, Llanfair Talhaiarn, was disqualified from driving for 16 months at Llandudno Magistrates’ Court today (April 29).

She admitted a charge of drink-driving during today’s hearing.

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The court heard that, on December 19, 2023, Alcock’s vehicle was seen by officers stopped in the middle of the road on the A548 in Abergele.

Alcock then started to drive again, but lost control of the Nissan car when negotiating a sharp bend, causing it to flip over.

No roadside tests were conducted as she was taken to hospital via air ambulance.

But three hours after the crash, officers attended hospital to take a reading, which showed 88 milligrams of alcohol for 100 millilitres of blood, exceeding the UK legal limit.

Alcock was said to have been “lucky she was not in a serious condition herself” as a result of the crash.

In mitigation for Alcock, who had no previous convictions, she was said to have had difficulty getting used to her car’s new clutch control at the time.

Indeed, Alcock said her vehicle had continued to stall, and did not remember the crash.

She apologised for her offence and said she does not intend to drive again.

In addition to her driving ban, Alcock will pay costs of £435.

This comprises a £250 fine, £100 in court costs, and £85 in costs to the prosecution.