A banned driver moved a car on her driveway and accidentally reversed, damaging the safety fence of an electricity substation, a court heard

Fiona Fisher had been banned from driving for four years in 2001.

Prosecutor Shini Cooksey said Fisher collided with a wall on the private driveway before reversing at high speed and demolishing the fence at the electricity substation.

A breath test revealed she had 115mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

Fisher, of Una Road, Parkeston, admitted driving with excess alcohol and driving whilst disqualified on February 27.

Trevor Linn, mitigating, said 49-year-old Fisher had been released from hospital two days before suffering from a clot on the lung and was taking medication and painkillers for her condition.

Mr Linn said Fisher had gone to get something out of the car and saw her husband had parked it very close to the house.

"On a whim she decided to move the car slightly back," he said.

Mr Linn said she had no intention of driving on the highway.

Colchester magistrates ordered her to complete a two-year community rehabilitation order.

She was told to complete an impaired motorist programme and was banned from driving for another four years.

Magistrates heard that Fisher and her husband had both been seriously ill and if she were imprisoned her husband would suffer too.

Published Tuesday, April 29, 2003

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