A CHARD woman who was double the drink drive limit when she was pulled over by police along the A303 claimed she had only driven at the time as she was in fear of her own personal safety.

Suzanne Long, 42, of Avishayes Road, appeared in the dock before Somerset Magistrates, sitting at Yeovil.

She pleaded not guilty to a charge that on October 6 at Podimore she drove a vehicle on the A303 after consuming excess alcohol.

The charge detailed that following a police breath test the defendant produced a reading of 72mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, the legal limit being 35mcg of alcohol.

She also denied a further allegation of driving the vehicle without insurance during the same incident.

Defending solicitor Ray Peters said the issue involved in the case was an argument of “duress of circumstances”.

He said that at the time of the alleged offences his client was only driving because she was in fear of her own personal safety.

A review of the case was conducted and both allegations were adjourned until January 6 when Long was ordered to return to the court at Yeovil to stand trial.

Until then she was released on unconditional bail.