A TEACHER who binged on vodka until 4am and crashed into a pavement six hours later has been spared jail.

Michelle Pearson cried in the dock while magistrates handed her a four-month suspended prison sentence for being more than FIVE times the drink driving limit.

A member of the public called police when the 44-year-old, of Chapel Street, Rowhedge, struck a kerb in Newland Street, Witham shortly after 10am.

Her excessively high reading of 183mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath was recorded at the police station. The limit is 35.

Helen Parr, chairman of the bench, said: “Having heard all the circumstances around this case and because of the exceptionally high level of alcohol reading, which is one of the highest we’ve heard in court, we’ve determined a sentence to reflect that.

“Therefore, this needs to be at a custodial level but let me tell you right at the beginning, we’re going to suspend that custodial sentence.

“What would have been 24 weeks, we’ve reduced to 16 weeks because of your early guilty plea and we’re going to suspend this for 12 months for two reasons.

“You have no previous convictions and are receiving help for your alcohol condition.”

The passerby described Pearson’s driving as erratic when they spotted her Ford Ka but also that she was “slumped over the wheel”.

But the court heard Pearson, a recovering alcoholic, was leant over in an emotional state.

She also denied to police she had been drinking when officers smelt alcohol on her breath.

Frank O’Toole, mitigating, said she had her last drink at 4am at home before being arrested, and had not eaten anything.

Pearson admitted driving a motor vehicle while over the limit on August 16 this year.

The outdoor learning officer with Essex Wildlife Trust had lost her job, it was said in court.

However, a spokesperson for Essex Wildlife Trust said she had resigned.

Pearson was banned for 36 months which can be reduced by 36 weeks by undergoing a drink driving rehabilitation programme.

She must also pay £200.