A woman has escaped jail after smashing her car into a lamp-post while drunk.

Mum-of-two Ann Koulouris was four-and-a-half times over the legal drink drive limit when she lost control of the vehicle.

She was charged with failing to provide a breath specimen after her asthma made it impossible for her to complete police station tests.

Linda Fowler, prosecuting, told Kirklees magistrates that the incident happened at a Deighton car park on December 4.

Police found Koulouris, of Shepherds Grove in Deighton, in the driver’s seat of the Vauxhall Vectra.

Mrs Fowler said: “The engine was still on and the front wheels were spinning in the mud as she was trying to reverse away.

“Officers immediately noticed that she was very drunk and she was formally arrested.”

Magistrates heard that the 39-year-old was taken to Huddersfield police station where she was required to give two samples of breath.

Mrs Fowler said: “She tried five times to provide samples but failed to do so.

“When asked if there was any medical reason she could not provide samples of breath she said no.”

The prosecutor told magistrates that Koulouris did manage to give one sample of breath.

This gave a reading of 158 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

This is four-and-a-half the legal limit of 35 mgs.

The bench was told that Koulouris had been due to stand trial at the magistrates’ court, however had later pleaded guilty.

Ian Whiteley, mitigating, said that he had sought expert advice to see if his client could put forward a medical defence.

He said that the expert advised that Koulouris’ asthma was not severe enough to use it as an excuse.

Mr Whiteley added: “She tried her best and provided the first one but didn’t provide the second sample.

“There is no deliberate refusal to provide a sample of breath (but) the expert said it had to be severe asthma to provide a medical excuse. It wasn’t so she changed her plea and witnesses were notified and cancelled.”

Mr Whiteley said that Koulouris had no previous convictions.

He added that she recently separated from her husband, primarily as a result of the court case.

Magistrates sentenced her to a 12 month community order, including 200 hours of unpaid work.

This order was made as a direct alternative to custody.

Koulouris was also banned from driving for 30 months and ordered to pay £85 costs and £60 victim surcharge.