A POLICE officer stopped a woman driving while so drunk she had to be "helped out of her vehicle" and discovered her young son asleep in the car.

Rhian Lewis, 31, of Moir Gardens, Laugharne, was apprehended near Nash Fingerpost near Pembroke Dock following a tip-off from a concerned member of the public.

Lewis admitted driving while just over twice the legal alcohol limit when she appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday (March 29).

"Lewis' car was going all over the road," said prosecutor Vaughan Pritchard-Jones.

"She was weaving and crossed the white line on a number of occasions. When the officer stopped her, she was clearly under the influence of intoxicants and had to be helped out of her vehicle. She couldn't stand up unaided. Her child was asleep in a car seat."

Defence solicitor Michael Kelleher described the incident as "a very sad state of affairs indeed".

"My client has been suffering from depression. There have been a number of things that have happened to her that have led to her taking alcohol as a means to forget," Mr Kelleher explained.

"She's been very scared by what she did and has come to the conclusion she's got to prevent alcohol from getting a hold on her. She has never been in trouble before."

Probation officer Claire Phillips said a few days prior to the incident, Lewis had been staying with her partner in Milford Haven when his house had been “intentionally set on fire”.

“On the day she was caught drink-driving, the alleged perpetrator had been released on bail. She drank a bottle of wine to cope with the stress of these things,” Ms Phillips explained.

“She says she has no recollection of putting her child in the car. She’s extremely remorseful.”

Magistrates banned Lewis from driving for 18 months and sentenced her to a 12 month community order, with 100 hours of unpaid work and a rehabilitation requirement. She must also pay £145 costs.