A HOSPICE worker was over the drink drive limit when she crashed into cars on her way to work.

Simone Bradshaw drove into parked cars on her way to St Helena Hospice after drinking two glasses of wine with her fiancée, Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard yesterday.

Bradshaw later told police she was getting married next year and was trying to reduce weight by cutting down on food so had less to soak up the alcohol.

Tests showed she was nearly double the drink drive limit.

Ian Allen, prosecuting, told the court police were called to a road accident at 8pm on November 13 in Layer Road, Colchester.

Bradshaw’s Fiat 500 had gone into parked cars and she confirmed to police she had been the driver.

She was found to have a breath-alcohol reading of 68mcgs in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcgs.

Mr Allen said: “She intended going to work. She worked at the hospice in Barncroft Close.

“She lost control of the vehicle and collided with the parked vehicles.”

Bradshaw, 49, of Boadicea Way, Colchester, who has no previous convictions, admitted driving with excess alcohol. She was banned from driving for 18 months and received fines and costs totalling £440.

Gemma Lee, mitigating, said Bradshaw had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

She told the court: “She had lunch with her fiancée and since their engagement she has tried her very best to slim down for her wedding dress.

“She accepts she wasn’t eating properly. She ordered a large glass of wine and another arrived not ordered.

“She was working at the hospice the night before. She wasn’t feeling drunk at the time.

“She is incredibly emotional. She is mortified that she is here.

“She was so upset she wanted to hand in her notice of resignation. Her employer said to her they don’t want to lose her.”

Chairman of the Bench Mr Hearn told Bradshaw: “You put yourself and other road users at risk.”

He imposed an 18-month driving ban and said Bradshaw would be able to reduce her ban by attending a drink driving rehabilitation course.