Banned driver had a booze session with her husband then drove from Inverkip to Glasgow

Bernadine Gemmell completed the 32-mile journey to Buchanan Street bus station in the early hours.

Gemmell, 59, had been staying with a relative in Inverkip but said she wanted to return home to England.

Prosecutor Emma Jeffrey told Greenock Sheriff Court: "At around 4.30am the husband received a call from the accused.

"She told him she was at the bus station, having driven from the house.

"The accused was planning to leave the keys for the car at the depot and get a bus back home."

Gemmell, of Northamptonshire, has two previous convictions for 'significant' road traffic offences, the court heard.

Fiscal depute Miss Jeffrey said: "The accused and her husband were residing with the husband's sister in Inverkip.

"The accused and her husband were consuming alcohol in the house.

"She was arrested and taken to Stewart Street police office and at the time she had the keys for the car in her possession."

Gemmell pleaded guilty to driving the white Vauxhall Corsa whilst disqualified and without insurance.

Defence lawyer Gerry Keenan said: "She has travelled from south of the border for all her court appearances."

Sheriff Andrew McIntyre told Gemmell: "You should understand with your record that you could be sent to prison now.

"I am satisfied that this case crosses the threshold but there is an alternative identified."

Gemmell was banned from the roads for 27 months, placed on supervision for a year and told to attend an alcohol recovery programme as a direct alternative to prison.