A DRUNK woman found within her crashed car by an off-duty police officer at 4.30am was more than five-times the booze limit.

Cindy Brankin, 46 — a first offender — has now been banned from the roads for 16 months.

Greenock Sheriff Court heard how she was behind the wheel of her Vauxhall Corsa on the A78 through Inverkip when the officer alerted on-duty colleagues.

Prosecutor John Penman said: "He had concerns as to the vehicle and, more so, its driver.

"The officer spoke to the accused, who was in the driver's seat.

"He identified himself as a police officer and removed the key from the ignition as a precaution.

"The officer detected alcohol on the accused's breath and contacted Greenock police office.

"Two on-duty officers arrived and the accused thereafter provided specimens of breath positive for alcohol."

Brankin had 115 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath — the legal maximum is 22mcg.

She committed the offence on February 22.

Brankin had also been charged with driving without due care and attention, losing control of the car and colliding with a fence and a wall but her not guilty plea to this allegation was accepted.

Defence lawyer David Tod said: "When someone of her age turns up in court for the first time it is an indication that not all is well.

"Sometimes a person has to hit rock bottom before they do something about it."

Sheriff Michael Higgins said: "The reading is high and that is what is causing me concern."

Brankin, of Leapmoor Drive in Wemyss Bay, has also been placed on an electronic tag to remain within her home each day between 7pm and 7am for two months.

Sheriff Higgins allowed her the option to do the drink-driving rehabilitation course which would reduce the disqualification period to a year if successfully completed.