STAFF at a grocery store called police and took a shopper’s keys from her as they believed she was drunk.

Helen Rudman, 42, told police she had driven to the Spar shop in Llansantffraid on January 22 this year, but denied drinking any alcohol.

At Welshpool Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, August 27, however, she pleaded guilty to a charge of driving while unfit through drink. 

Rudman was driving a Fiat 500 on the day, and had driven to the Spar shop at around 3.45pm when the incident unfolded.

Helen Tench, prosecuting, said: “Staff at Spar called police as they said a shopper was drunk.

MORE NEWS:

“They said the woman was in her car, but staff had taken her keys off her. She appeared under the influence.

“She refused to provide a sample when police arrived. She admitted later driving to the store but said she had not drunk any alcohol.”

Owain Jones, acting for Rudman, of Dinas Fach, Llansantffraid, said: “You’ll want to hear from probation.

“Since this incident she has sought lots of help, from Kaleidoscope and the community mental health teams.

“You will need full facts before proceeding.”

Magistrates adjourned sentencing until October 8. In the meantime they told Rudman she would receive an interim ban from driving.