A JOURNALIST suffering from work-related stress and a bereavement was caught more than four times the drink-drive limit.

Beth Elen Hughes, a reporter with the Leader, was told by District Judge Gwyn Jones that he was able to step back from imposing a prison sentence after hearing glowing references in her favour and how she had thrown herself into work for the community.

He told her to complete 150 hours of unpaid work as part of a 12-month community sentence and banned her from the road for three years.

North East Wales Magistrates Court heard Hughes, 24, a Cardiff University journalism graduate, had “overstretched herself” with her job as well as her studies and engaging in charity work.

On the day she was caught drink-driving a issue flared at work and she asked to go home because she was suffering from stress.

But prosecutor Rhian Jackson said Hughes was spotted by an officer driving a Toyota Yaris at a very slow speed and he followed her through Sychdyn and to the edge of Northop where she was pulled over near to the entrance to St Peter’s Park.

The officer noticed a sweet smell of alcohol in the vehicle and Hughes remarked: “You’re going to charge me aren’t you?”

She was arrested and a breath test conducted at St Asaph Police Station showed she had consumed 146mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, the legal limit being 35.

Probation officer Andrew Connah said Hughes accepted responsibility for her drink-driving and was “under a great deal of stress due to employment and taking an MA course as well as suffering from the bereavement of a grandparent”.

“She is genuinely remorseful and understands the consequences of her drinking,” said Mr Connah, who said Hughes’ employer had been “extremely supportive” although her post was at risk.

“She says she doesn’t have an issue with alcohol and says she self-medicated due to her low mood and depression, but normally doesn’t drink to excess.”

The probation officer said he had received a letter from Hughes’ social worker about her mental health, including anorexia and other issues and she had been prescribed anti-depressants.

Hughes, 24, of Pen Yr Hwylfa, Brynford, admitted drink driving on the A5119 at Northop on December 3.

Phil Lloyd Jones, defending, told the Mold court: “When I first met Ms Hughes she was clearly in a low mood, depressed and ashamed, but I told her to speak to her colleagues and the court has heard the quality of the references they have given her.

“She is a lady with a university degree, a masters degrees and I get the impression she has been doing far too much.

“There has been a lot of charitable work and singing and this has taken its toll.

"In the last 12 months she has taken time off work.

“She hit the wall and asked to go home (from work). She drunk and thankfully there were no serious consequences apart from the reading being extremely high.”

The district judge said custody had been an option for him, but he doubted what it would achieve in the long run.

He said: “I’ve had time to consider in some detail the quality references that have been put before this court that speak of your good work in the community as well as the medical evidence of your social worker at the Primary Care Mental Health Team.

“You have significant ability and you have allowed your enthusiasm to get the better of you and you have overstretched your physical and mental abilities.”

Hughes was told she could take the drink-drive rehabilitation course which would qualify her for a 25 per reduction in her three-year driving ban.

She was also told to pay £85 costs and a surcharge of £85.