Leanne Dodds and her husband were on their way home from a fancy-dress party when officers stopped their Ford Mondeo after seeing it swerving across the road.

Police found the mum of two dressed as the Star Wars heroine, with her husband in full Luke Skywalker garb.

Peterlee Magistrates' Court heard the 28-year-old, a Department for Work and Pensions employee, was heading along the B1285 in Murton, near the A19, when she was stopped.

A breathalyser test revealed Dodds had 88 mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, more than twice the legal limit of 35mcg.

She pleaded guilty to drink driving. Debra Jones, prosecuting, said police had seen the car drifting towards the white lines of the road and then back towards the kerb twice.

Neil Hodgson, mitigating, said Dodds had agreed to stay sober and drive so her husband could drink that night.

The couple then left their car at the Glebe Centre in Murton while they went to a nearby house party.

Dodds ended up drinking wine during the evening, however, and later decided to take their car the short distance back to their home in West View.

Both had been concerned about leaving the vehicle because it had been damaged previously, the court heard.

Mr Hodgson said: "She was dressed as Princess Leia and her husband as Luke Skywalker, and they thought it was a bit embarrassing to walk the streets of Murton dressed like that.

"She didn't intend to have a drink at all and, from what she says to me, I believe her. She is ashamed, embarrassed and asks the court for forgiveness."

Magistrates banned her from driving for 20 months, fined her £255 and ordered her to pay £60 in costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

She was also offered a place on a drink-drive awareness course.

Chairman of the bench, Keith King, told Dodds she should have
considered the impact her actions could have had on others.

He added: "Fancy dress – we've no doubt all been there and taken precautions to avoid walking along streets and taken a taxi, but, on that night, you used your own vehicle.

"It was quite a high reading, two and a half times over the limit, and we've reflected that in the sentence."