A WOMAN has been banned from the roads after she was caught in charge of a car while more than four times the alcohol limit.

Hannah Arrowsmith admitted being in charge of a vehicle while over the alcohol limit when she appeared before magistrates in Hereford, while Euan Gennis admitted driving while over the limit but said there were special reasons for doing so.

Police were called to Leominster's Cholstrey Road by a witness at 7.30pm on July 5, prosecutor Melanie Winterflood said.

The witness told officers she had seen a car parked on the road with two flat tyres and learner plates while housesitting for a friend at around 3pm.

She told the car's occupants to move it on to the driveway of the house as she thought it could cause an accident if left where it was, and Arrowsmith took her up on the offer.

But after parking the car, the witness said, Arrowsmith and Gennis started drinking beer in it before leaving the car and returning at around 7pm.

The witness said Arrowsmith, who could barely stand up, got into the passenger seat while leaner driver Gennis got into the driver's seat and moved the car onto the road before parking on the verge.

A breath test revealed Arrowsmith, who admitted she had been in charge of the car, had 154 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Owain Jones, for Arrowsmith, said the 25-year-old had been charged as Gennis was only a provisional licence holder.

"She is guilty by default of what he has done," he said.

"She did not expect anyone to drive the car. Both tyres were blown and they were waiting for the RAC to come and for her mother to collect them.

"She accepts drinking cans in the car, going into town and drinking more in the pub, and then drinking a bottle of vodka. She does not remember much of what happened on her return but she understands she was in charge."

Arrowsmith, of Underhill Crescent, Knighton, was disqualified from driving for eight months and handed a six-week curfew with electronic tag. She must also pay costs of £135 and a £95 victim surcharge.

Emily Gourley, for Gennis, of Caenbrook Meadow, Presteigne, said the 28-year-old had moved the car after being told to do so by an aggressive woman. He will appear before the court for a special reasons hearing on September 23.