A Tenby mum wept in court last week as magistrates told her she would not lose her driving licence, despite admitting driving while over the limit.

Kelly Elliott, of Haylands Lane, Jameston had driven 300 metres from Tudor Lodge in Jameston when her Mercedes was stopped by police.

She was breathalysed and found to be over twice the drink drive limit.

Elliot, aged 29, had earlier pleaded guilty to the offence, but the case was adjourned for a special reasons argument.

Giving evidence, she told magistrates that she had driven straight to Tudor Lodge from work to celebrate a friend’s birthday.

At the end of the evening she had walked home but had been approached by the landlady of the pub and advised to move her car, as it would obstruct delivery lorries in the morning. She was also told that there had been several incidents of vandalism in the car park.

She decided to drive the car the 320 metres home, but was stopped by police.

Simon Mumford, defending, told magistrates that Jameston was an extremely rural area and that the distance driven was less than 0.2 of a mile. There had been little danger to other road users and no problems with Elliott’s driving. He said his client had been fully remorseful and extremely co-operative with police.

Magistrates considered seven points, including the distance driven, the nature of the driving and potential danger to other road users, before telling Elliott: “We have to accept your special reasons. It was a foolish thing to do. It could have been very serious. You are very fortunate that we have not disqualified you.”

Elliott was given ten points on her licence, fined £275 and told to pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.