A YOUNG woman was disqualified from driving today (Thursday May 9) after driving drunk in an attempt to resolve a spat with her boyfriend.

Amber Louise Johnstone, 22, had been drinking with a friend following an argument with her partner on Monday, April 29.

Darlington Magistrates' Court heard that she had planned to stay at her friend’s house but risked her licence when she decided to visit her boyfriend following a phone call in the early hours of the morning.

Admin assistant Johnstone was pulled over by police on Yarm Road at around 4am after they spotted her car veering close to the side of the road and parked vehicles. She admitted drinking when quizzed by officers and was found to have 98mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Mike Clark, mitigating, said: “After waking in the middle of the night and having a telephone conversation with her boyfriend, she very foolishly agreed to drive to his house to try and sort things out.

“There was no accident or suggestion of very bad driving. When she woke up, she said she felt ok and thought she would be ok to drive. This was a bad mistake and she accepts she has been very stupid indeed.”

First time offender Johnstone, of Duxford Grove, Darlington, pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle with an alcohol level above limit. She was disqualified from driving for two years and ordered to pay a fine of £225, a victim surcharge of £22.50 and costs of £85.