A 'VERY intoxicated' woman was arrested after friends called police after she tried to drive away from their home.

Samantha Rhiannon Lewis admitted failing to provide a sample when she appeared before magistrates in Hereford.

Police had been called to a house in Hereford after Lewis, who was described as being 'very intoxicated' had got behind the wheel on November 20, prosecutor Elizabeth Blacklock said.

Witnesses told officers that Lewis had got into her car and started reversing it out of a parking space before a friend had leaned in through the window and removed her keys, the court heard.

Police were called after Lewis refused to leave the friend's home without her keys and she was taken into custody, where she was twice asked to provide a breath sample and twice refused.

George Cousins, for Lewis, said the 41-year-old has worked in a responsible job as a carer for the last 20 years.

"On this occasion she was out at a friend's house and the friend had asked her to leave," Mr Cousins said.

"They phoned for a taxi and told her it would not be there for an hour, but she felt uncomfortable being in a property where she was not wanted and got in her car and moved it a very short distance."

The court heard Lewis has since lost her job due to her anxiety issues and that her father had recently died.

"She has been to Turning Point and to her GP for help," Mr Cousins said.

Lewis, of River View, Hereford, was disqualified from driving for 16 months and fined £120. She must also pay costs of £120 and a £34 victim surcharge.