A drink-driver who had her children standing in the back of the car has been handed a 20-month motoring ban.

Forty-four-year-old Claire Morris, of Lampeter Velfrey, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday, to plead guilty to a charge of driving a motor vehicle whilst under the influence of alcohol, after she blew 81 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

Prosecutor, Vaughan Pritchard-Jones told the court that on August 13, Ms. Morris had an argument with her partner at home where they were both drinking.

Her partner then became worried that she would drive so he took the main set of car keys away from her.

Unknown to him, Ms Morris had a spare set of keys and drove away.

Magistrates heard that the children were so worried that they went with their mother even though her partner told them not to.

It was also mentioned that neighbours heard the defendant ‘revving’ her engine like ‘mad.’

Most alarmingly, the court heard how the children were standing up in the back of the vehicle without seatbelts on.

Dyfed-Pows Police were then called and found the defendant outside the vehicle where she failed a roadside breath test.

Defence solicitor, Mike Kelleher told the court that his client did not accept that her children were standing in the vehicle, nor did she accept that she was driving badly.

He also said that his client was now living in Shropshire with her parents as a result of the incident.

Probation officer, Julie Norman told the court that the Ms Morris, who had no previous convictions, was extremely remorseful.

She went on to say the defendant had alcohol problems, had binged drink in the past, and has now been referred to counselling.

Furthermore, she told the court that Ms Morris had been signed off sick with anxiety and depression.

The chairmen of the bench, said: “Having children in the back of the car was an aggravating feature in this case.”

Magistrates handed the defendant a 12-month community order, with a 15-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement.

She was given a 20-month driving ban and fined £120.

Ms Morris was also ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs along with a victim surcharge of £90.