A woman who was stopped by police in Box after members of the public reported concerns that she was drink-driving has been banned from the roads for 16 months.

In the early hours of April 16 this year, officers from Wiltshire Constabulary received a call about a woman who had driven a white Skoda onto the forecourt of a petrol station and, when challenged by staff who believed she had been drinking, ran off.

Two officers located the woman on the A4 and, due to concerns that she was highly intoxicated, tried to conduct a breath test. She refused, so she was arrested and taken into custody, where she continued to refuse to provide a sample.

Julie Martin, 64, of Chapel Row, Bathford, appeared at Salisbury Magistrates' Court on Friday (May 6) and pleaded guilty to one count of failing to provide a specimen of breath.

She was disqualified from driving for 16 months, fined £230 and ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £34 victim surcharge.

PCSO Shaun Redmond, from the local policing team, said: “We would always encourage members of the public to call police if they have concerns that someone is driving while under the influence of drink or drugs.

“We all know the risks that people who drink drive pose to both themselves and other users and, when we receive information we will take action.

“If you know someone who regularly drink or drug drives, then please call 101 and give as much information as possible, including the driver’s details or description, their car registration and a time or day that they always do it.

“If you believe that a crime is being committed and somebody is already behind the wheel then please call 999.”

Wiltshire Police are continuing their drink drive crackdown. The force's annual winter campaign, which ended earlier this year, saw 86 drivers arrested.

The campaign led by the Wiltshire Police Roads Policing Unit, together with colleagues from Community Policing ran throughout December and combined enforcement and education to raise awareness of the risks and consequences of drink and drug driving.

Throughout the month officers undertook heightened patrols and arranged additional check sites targeting drink and drug drive offences. The campaign was also supported by community intelligence where officers specifically targeted drivers who had been reported by members of the community.

In total 45 drivers were arrested on suspicion of drink driving and 31 drivers arrested on suspicion of drug driving offences.