A HOME carer who was caught drink driving at more than three-and-a-half times the limit has been spared jail because a sibling relies on her.

Laura Elizabeth Tyson appeared at South Cumbria Magistrates' Court and pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle when the alcohol level was above limit on September 5. The 33-year-old had 128 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, when the legal limit is 35 microgrammes of alcohol.

The court heard this was Tyson's second drink driving offence, as she had been banned from the roads for drink driving in 2012 for 30months.

The Barrow hearing on Tuesday was told that on this occasion Tyson was caught driving a Vauxhall Corsa on Middlefield, in Barrow, after a member of the public alerted the police.

The court heard Tyson had been drinking wine and had not intended to drive as she had planned to stay at her partner's house. But after an argument she "took the stupid decision to drive" as she "couldn't have been thinking straight."

The defence and probation service told the court how Tyson was "genuinely sorry" and that she had a number of difficulties in her life following the death of her mother, and she had used alcohol to deal with depression. They said she had put others ahead of her prioritising her needs, but said that she is now starting to access medication and support for the issues.

The court heard Tyson, of West View Road, Barrow, works as a home carer for others and she also cares for her adult brother who has cerebral palsy.

Defending Tyson, Miss Maureen Fawcett said: "She has put other people's needs before her own and not dealt with her depression.

"She is more concerned for her brother than she is for herself.

"She is someone who is aware of how serious this offence is. She is now accessing support.

"She had not intended to drive, she took a stupid decision to drive. She is genuinely sorry, horrified really."

District Judge Gerald Chalk sentenced Tyson to 70 days jail suspended for 12 months and disqualified her from driving for 54 months.

Judge Chalk said: "Thank goodness you didn't kill anyone.

"The only reason I am suspending this is because of the innocent party here, your brother."

The judge also ordered that Tyson carries out a 10 week curfew, from 10pm to 7am each day, and she will also carry out 20 days rehabilitation work with the probation service.

The court heard that Tyson had not carried out the drink driving course offered to her last time she was banned from driving.

Judge Chalk said was not prepared to offer Tyson the drink driving course this time.