A SHORT drive home from a first-date lunch proved costly for a 46-year-old woman.

Blackburn magistrates heard occupational therapist Bobbie Hallam could only “recall” having two large glasses of wine before she drove back to her home in Barrow, near Whalley, but was nearly three times the legal limit.

Hallam, of Ormerod Terrace, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol. She was fined £1,720 with £85 costs and £170 victim surcharge and banned from driving for 25 months.

Enza Geldard, prosecuting, said a police officer driving behind Hallam’s car thought she was driving slowly. She parked outside her house but some distance from the kerb and the officer invited her to sit in his car.

A roadside breathalyser gave a reading of 89 but by the time she gave a sample at the police station the reading was 102 against the legal limit of 35.

Sarah Aslam, defending, said her client had never appeared in court before and was distressed by the experience. She said Hallam had driven to a railway station to collect her date and they had gone for a meal.

“She recalls having two glasses of wine before driving the short distance home and didn’t think she would be over the limit,” said Miss Aslam.

“She doesn’t know what the impact of this conviction will be on her job as an occupational therapist but she may have to employ a driver.”