A RAGLAN woman who had drunk two bottles of Hooch made a costly mistake when she decided to move her car which was parked on single yellow line to an area where there was no parking restriction.

Rachel Miles was stopped by police and a subsequent breath test showed a reading of 42 micrograms of alcohol, the limit being 35.

Miss Miles, aged 23, of Barton Bridge Close, pleaded guilty at Abergavenny Magistrates Court last week to driving with excess alcohol. She was banned from driving for 12 months (which will be reduced by three months on completion of a drivers' rehabilitation course by July 31st). She was also fined £100 and ordered to pay £55 costs.

Prosecuting, Mrs Kath Coleman told the court that at 11.50pm on January 25th officers on duty in Monnow Street saw a Vauxhall Astra travelling northwards at "rather a fast speed."

The car drove in excess of 40mph as it travelled into Priory Street.

When the officers spoke to Miss Miles about her speed they noticed that her breath smelt of alcohol. A roadside test proved positive.

Mr Richard Lovell, defending, said that Miss Miles had been driving for six years without previous offences. On the day in question, she had been working a 2pm-10pm shift at a health and fitness centre at Cwmbran and afterwards drove into Monmouth to meet friends. She drank two bottles of Hooch.

Miss Miles had intended to stay with her boyfriend so decided to move her car, which was parked on a single yellow line.

"It was an error of judgement on her part - she didn't realise she would be over the legal limit," said Mr Lovell.

"She apologises for her error of judgement - she is very much against drink-driving and this has caused her much embarrassment."

A driving ban would mean that Miss Miles would lose her job as she would be unable to travel to Cwmbran.

"It will obviously cause her hardship," said Mr Lovell.