A PENSIONER who is hard of hearing has been banned from driving for 18 months after pleading guilty to failing to provide a breath sample to police.

Florence Townsend, 65, of Merrybent, near Darlington could reduce her disqualification by a quarter if she undergoes a drink-drive rehabilitation programme.

Darlington Magistrates' Court heard yesterday that Townsend was driving an Audi at about 3pm on December 8 last year in Morrisons' car park in the town when she was involved in a minor accident. The police officer who attended the scene thought she smelled of alcohol, but Townsend refused to take the breath tests, saying she suffered from shortness of breath.

Elizabeth McGowan, in mitigation, told the court that Townsend was a widow who lived alone and relied on her car to drive to Morrisons every day.

Mrs McGowan said: "It has been a difficult time for Townsend but she has accepted her guilt.

"She had a very severe accident a few years ago and now suffers from shortness of breath.

"She is distraught to be attending court today."

Townsend was disqualified from driving for 18 months and fined £250 with £34 costs.