A MOTHER overcome with grief over the prospect of her son's death was found drunk at the wheel of her car in Powys – more than 270 miles from home.

Rosleen Loretta Morley, who lives in Norfolk, was seen driving suspiciously in various parts of Radnorshire late at night on October 8.

The 74-year-old was seen to be driving slowly and then quickly and was also swerving in her Volvo V60 between Kington and Walton before she was traced to Llandrindod Wells, where a roadside breath test by police found her to be more than double the drink drive limit.

Llandrindod Wells Magistrates’ Court was told that Morley had left her home in Hopton-on-Sea on the East Anglia coast – a five-and-a-half hour drive away from Llandrindod – as looking after her terminally ill son had taken its toll on her.

Morley, appearing from her home via videolink, pleaded guilty to a charge of drink driving on Wednesday, November 9.

Prosecutor Stephen Davies said police spoke to the defendant after she had parked at the Commodore Hotel in Llandrindod.

“It was late in the evening when police received a call from a member of the public regarding the manner of driving of a Volvo, which was seen driving between Kington and Walton,” said Mr Davies.

“It was described as driving quickly, then slowing down, and was also swerving."

When officers approached her, they believed her to be under the influence from the way she was speaking.

Mr Davies said a lower reading provided by Morley revealed there to be 77 micrograms of alcohol in her breath – the legal limit for driving with alcohol in your system is 35 micrograms.

Defence solicitor Jess Smith said her client, who had a clean record, fully accepted the facts of the case.

“Mrs Morley would like to apologise for her actions and the fact she appears here today,” said Ms Smith.

She also outlined the circumstances she and her husband face caring for their son, adding: “There is no excuse for her actions but this provides an explanation for why she’s here today.”

Chair of the bench, Geraint Evans, told Morley: “I can’t possibly imagine the difficulties you and your husband are going through, nonetheless we can’t overlook you drove at double the drink drive limit and put people at risk."

Magistrates disqualified the defendant from driving for 21 months. She was also fined £120 with £85 costs and a £48 surcharge.