A RECOVERING drug addict found three times over the drink-drive limit was a learner driver, Burnley magistrates heard.

The court was told how jobless Danielle Orrom, 24, had been seen with no lights on and swaying all over the road by police in the early hours in Burnley.

She was unsteady on her feet, her speech was slurred and her eyes were glazed.

Orrom, of Lancaster Avenue, Accrington, admitted driving with excess alcohol and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence. She was bailed until today for a pre-sentence report.

The bench, who told her they were looking at a community punishment order, imposed an road interim ban.

The court was told when the defendant was arrested and taken to the police station, the lower of two tests showed 105 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit was 35.

Duncan Nightingale, defending, said Orrom had been out with friends, gone back to a house and somebody decided they needed to go to a garage for some cigarettes.

She was prevailed upon to drive and did, but did not accept she was swerving all over the road.

The defendant had her difficulties, the court was told. She was on methadone and was in no fit state to get work.

Two very close friends had died in recent weeks and she had been very upset at being before the justices.

Her solicitor added: "The mere fact of coming to court has been part of the punishment."