A WOMAN who tried to run after crashing her convertible while drink driving told police officers she was a “really good drunk driver”.

Zoe Elliott-Brown crashed her purple Peugeot 205 into cars in Edmund Road, Hastings, and then tried to escape at about 8pm on 8 June last year.

After locals identified her to police and she was arrested nearby, the 28-year-old blamed her drink-driving on the fact that she had gone on a drinking session because she was grieving the death of her father.

She was found to have 120 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of her breath - more than three times the 35 microgrammes legal limit - but refused to answer questions in interview.

Eliott-Brown, of Kenilworth Road, St Leonards, pleaded guilty to drink-driving when she appeared at Hastings Magistrates' Court on 20 January.

She was banned from driving for 30 months, given an eight week suspended prison sentence and ordered to do 200 hours of community service. She was also told to pay £85 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.

Superintendent Jane Derrick said: "Whilst I understand that Ms Elliott Brown was struggling with a very tragic set of circumstances following the death of her father, there is no excuse for drink-driving given the dangers and risks it presents to other road users, the wider public and motorists themselves. 

"Her claim that she was a good drink driver is worrying. Some people believe that alcohol or drugs makes them a better driver but research and statistics prove otherwise.

"We need the public's help to identify people who believe they can drink-drive safely and continue to put their lives and the lives of other people in danger by selfishly decide to get behind the wheel after drinking.

"If you know or suspect someone is drink or drug-driving call us urgently so that we can intervene."