An Isle of Wight drink driver, who almost collided with a bus and drove past police without headlights on in the early hours, has been disqualified from driving.

Gemma Hodson, of East Cowes, attended the Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, March 5, and pleaded guilty to drink driving.

Lauren Stone, prosecuting, said police were made aware that a woman, known to have been drinking alcohol, was driving a Kia Sportage on Terminus Road in Cowes at 1.20am on February 18.

Ms Stone told the court that 41-year-old Hodson was behind the wheel and almost collided with a bus before driving past a police car without headlights on.

The prosecution said Hodson was pulled over and told officers she had last drank alcohol three hours before.

A roadside alcohol test came back positive, showing 78mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath when the legal limit is 35.

Barry Arnett, defending, said his client had booked a taxi home for 1.45am, but her car was left on the High Street, so she decided to move it to a car park before deciding to drive home instead – after drinking plenty of water.

At the time of the incident, Hodson was suffering with mental health concerns and had been prescribed powerful medication, said the defence.

Hodson was handed a three year driving disqualification - not her first drink drive offence - and must pay a £120 fine, £85 in costs and a £48 surcharge.