A PONTERWYD woman found drinking cider in her car failed to give a breath sample at Aberystwyth Police Station despite trying to, magistrates have heard.

Hayley Elizabeth Lewis, of 44 Maesyrawel, admitted failing to provide a specimen after earlier giving a positive roadside breath test on 21 February.

But her solicitor Alan Lewis insisted Lewis had not deliberately tried to avoid giving a sample, but had simply been unable to at the time.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said police officers had driven past Lewis at around 9pm when she was parked in a lay-by and they saw her holding a can of cider. When they stopped officers saw the keys were in the ignition and Lewis, 39, had her seatbelt on. When they spoke to her, Ms Tench said Lewis seemed upset and had bloodshot eyes, with Lewis telling officers that she had driven from Aberystwyth.

Despite giving a positive roadside test, Ms Tench said Lewis failed to provide a sample at the police station.

Mr Lewis said Lewis had been battling cancer which had led to her having to stop working and caused problems with finances and accommodation.

He said that, while she had now been given the all-clear, at the time she had been “in something of a whirlwind”.

Despite failing to provide a sample at the police station, he said Lewis had tried, but had found herself unable to blow into the machine for long enough.

Mr Lewis said she hadn’t understood the procedure and thought the positive roadside test would be enough.

Lewis was banned from driving for 12 months. She will pay a fine of £80 and costs of £115.