Sky Sports presenter found to be almost three times over the legal limit after being arrested in Eton, Berkshire, in August

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

The TV presenter Kirsty Gallacher has admitted drink-driving after being seen driving erratically the morning after a night out with friends.

Gallacher, 41, was found to be almost three times over the legal limit after being arrested on 12 August in Eton, Berkshire, Slough magistrates court was told.

The presenter, who works on Sky Sports News, was banned from driving for two years and ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid community work.

The former Strictly Come Dancing contestant was on her way to meet her children when witnesses spotted her driving erratically in the town at about 11am, the court was told.

Officers used CCTV to find her BMW X4 parked on Eton High Street and subsequently conducted a roadside breathalyser test that showed her alcohol level was 106 microgrammes in 100 millilitres of breath.

The drink-drive limit in England and Wales is 35 microgrammes per 100 millilitres.

Jennifer Dempster, mitigating, said Gallacher drank very rarely, and had taken a taxi home before going to collect her car the following morning.

“This is, of course, the morning after drinking, and it is a topic which is a hot one at present. This is, in many senses, unintentional drink-driving,” she said.

Dempster also said that Gallacher’s two young children had not been in her car. “What this defendant did was exactly right until 11 o’clock the next morning,” she said.

District Judge Davinder Lachhar said: “It is a very high rate. It is almost three times the amount of the limit.”

Probation officer Jasvir Kaur Bhatti said Gallacher was very remorseful and “very much regrets what happened”.

Gallacher, of Virginia Water in Surrey, appeared in the dock and spoke only to enter her plea and confirm her name and address.

She was also ordered to pay £85 in court charges and a separate surcharge of £85. Her driving ban will be reduced by six months if she opts to take part in a driving safety course at a later date.