She was arrested on April 13 on suspicion of being unfit to drive whilst under the influence of drink or drugs. Chambers had two breath tests, the highest measuring 188 micrograms per 100ml of breath - 5.4 times over the legal limit of 35 micrograms. But she walked free from Northampton Magistrates Court last Friday after JPs heard she turned to alcohol after losing her job four years ago. She was banned from driving for three years and given a 12-month probation supervision order with alcohol treatment.
Neil Clark, defending, told the court: "Miss Chambers' problems started when she lost her job four years ago. She has not been able to work since and turned to alcohol when she became depressed." Chambers was stopped in the St James area of Northampton on Friday, April 13 and given a roadside breath test. Her breathalyser result beats the previous record for a female drink driver set by Claire Louise Garrett in July 2010.
Garrett, from Hebburn, South Tyneside, gave a sample containing 179mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath after she was stopped by police for driving on the wrong side of the road. She pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol and received a three-year ban. Speaking after, she said: "I will regret it for the rest of my life. It was just a stupid mistake. I will never be able to forgive myself for it. I was in a bad place. I was in hospital afterwards so that's how bad it was."
