Watlington woman tells court of 'massive mistake' after admitting drink-driving

A Watlington motorist caught almost three times the drink-drive limit apologised for her actions when she appeared in court yesterday.

Daniella Bottone told Lynn magistrates on Monday she realised the danger she had presented to the public.

Prosecutor Josephine Jones told the court that police officers on patrol in the Downham area just after 1am on November 24 were following a Vauxhall Adam being driven by Bottone, 23.

Miss Jones said: “Due to the manner it was being driven they signalled for it to pull over.”

A roadside breath test in Hillcrest Road gave a reading of 102 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, the legal limit being 35.

Bottone, of Downham Road, was arrested and a later evidential breath test gave a reading of 101. She pleaded guilty to a single charge of drink-driving.

In mitigation, solicitor George Sorrell asked the magistrates to accept her remorse.

Bottone said: “I realise the serious nature of what I’ve done. It was a massive mistake on my behalf.

“I realise the amount of danger and risk I put to members of the public and myself.”

She was disqualified from driving for 25 months, which can be reduced with successful completion of a rehabilitation course. She was also given a 12-month community order for 100 hours of unpaid work and told to pay £85 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.