A young BMW driver drank half a bottle of wine before crashing her car near a bridge leaving debris across the road, a court was told.

Vivien Juhaszova, 20, told police that she didn't think the damage was that bad and was "gutted" because it was her first car. She was banned from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay the court £319 after pleading guilty to drink driving.

Welshpool Magistrates' Court was told police received a report of a crash on the B4393 road between Llansantffraid and Four Crosses on January 7 last year. Officers found a dark coloured BMW just over the bridge which was damaged to the front and near side. A female driver was out of the vehicle, as was another passenger.

Helen Tench, prosecutor, said the driver, Juhaszova, told police that she had been to McDonald's near Welshpool and dropped off her boyfriend at his home and then drank half a bottle of wine outside.

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A breath test found that Juhaszova had 46 microgrammes of alcohol in her 100 millilitres of breath when the legal limit is 35.

Owain Jones, mitigating for Juhaszova, said the Oswestry bar tender had never been in trouble before.

"She was a lady of good character. It has shocked her how it escalated and is very disappointed and sorry to find herself in court all because of a decision she has taken. She agrees it was a silly decision going to collect her friend. She says she didn’t drink much but clearly to be over the limit.

"She fully co-operated with police and made further admission at interview. She entered an early guilty plea and I trust you will give full credit for that.

"She was hoping to get employment in Shrewsbury but foreseeing a disqualification she now has employment in Oswestry. She lives in a rural location, and I ask for a short disqualification."

Magistrates decided to disqualify Juhaszova, of Ashlands Road, Weston Rhyn, Shropshire, from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay £319 in costs and fines.

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