Drink Driver Drove Her 4x4 Into House

A GAPING hole was left in a village home when drink-driver Sharon Hardy ploughed her 4x4 into a house, demolishing a wall and causing more than £15,000-worth of damage.

Hardy then drove away - but left the front bumper of her maroon coloured Ssangyong Musso at the scene.

"Police followed a trail of debris and were led to Hardy's home," prosecutor Angela Sassoli told Ely magistrates.

"Her vehicle had significant damage, with masonry piled up on the bonnet."

Hardy, 40, of Quarry Lane, Swaffham Bulbeck, admitted driving when unfit through drink, and failing to stop after the accident.

Police were called to the scene of the non-stop collision in Swaffham Bulbeck High Street in the early hours of the March 22, said Mrs Sassoli.

"There was severe damage to the living room," she said. "The wall had collapsed, there was a large gaping hole."

At Hardy's home, police found the housewife heavily intoxicated.

"Her eyes were glazed, her speech was slurred and she was extremely unsteady on her feet," added Mrs Sassoli. "She was volatile and aggressive, her nose was bloodied and there was a bruise on her nose.

Hardy gave a breath test reading more than double the legal alcohol limit, but solicitor Robert Milsom said Hardy had drunk some vodka and coke after the accident, and before she was arrested.

"She acted completely out of character," he said. "She does not normally go to the pub in the evening, but on this particular evening she went to meet friends, and had a certain amount to drink.

"After the accident she was shocked and frightened, and panicked. Her only thought was about getting home, rather than giving the necessary information at the scene."

Hardy was banned from driving for 24 months. She must carry out 80 hours of unpaid work, and was fined £150 with £95 costs and a £15 surcharge.