A woman from Pembroke Dock who was caught driving whilst being disqualified twice in the space of eight days has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Thirty-six-year-old Lydia Miller, of Meyrick Street, was charged with two counts of driving whilst disqualified, two counts of having no insurance and failure to give a specimen of blood.

Ms. Miller appeared from custody at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Monday to admit all the offences.

Prosecutor Vaughan Pritchard-Jones told the court that the defendant was already disqualified from driving after receiving a six-month ban on September 20 after she had accumulated 12 points.

The defendant was stopped on December 6 by police after they spotted her. They suspected that she had taken drugs so she was arrested.

Ms. Miller was asked to give a sample of blood for analysis but she ‘point blanked’ refused to do so.

Mr. Pritchard-Jones added that the defendant knew proceedings were taking place against her.

Jonathan Webb, defending, said his client did not know anything about the disqualification as no forms were handed out.

He added that when she was arrested, a police officer told her that she should challenge the disqualification and that was the reason why she drove.

He accepted that an aggravating feature was that Ms. Miller had been caught driving whilst disqualified twice in eight days.

However, the defence solicitor said there was no evidence of bad driving and she was not a regular offender.

Mr. Webb concluded his remarks by saying his client had been stupid in her actions.

Magistrates then heard from probation officer Julie Norman who said the defendant had successfully completed a previous community order.

She mentioned that the defendant was remorseful in committing the offences and had been signed off sick for many years.

As well as a 36-month driving ban, Ms. Miller was given a 12-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months.

She was also given a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement and was ordered to complete the thinking skills programme.

The bench also handed the defendant a six-month curfew whereby she must be at her property between 8 pm and 8 am.

Ms. Miller was further ordered to pay prosecution costs of £170, along with a victim surcharge of £122.