Girl, 12, is caught drink-driving

A 12-year-old girl was found to be nearly twice the drink-drive limit when she was caught behind the wheel of a car in Wiltshire, it has emerged.

Police say the youngster, from Berkshire, was visiting relatives in Swindon on Christmas Day when she took the Vauxhall Corsa for a drive.

The girl, now 13, has pleaded guilty to four offences including driving with excess alcohol.

She will appear at Newbury Youth Court on 31 January for sentencing.

A Crown Prosecution Service spokeswoman said the girl, believed to be one of the youngest people to be charged with drink-driving in the UK, was stopped by officers on the B4006 just outside Swindon.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was breathalysed and gave a reading of 65 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, the spokeswoman said.

The legal limit is 35 microgrammes per 100 millilitres.

She admitted to driving with excess alcohol, taking a vehicle without consent, driving without insurance and driving without a licence.