Soft drinks manager drink-driving

Julie Lowes was found to be almost three times over the legal limit

A soft drinks manager, who fell asleep on the hard shoulder of a motorway in her car, has started her two-year driving ban for drink-driving.

It took police five minutes to wake up Julie Lowes, 40, Bridgend magistrates heard.

Officers were called after motorists on the M4 reported seeing a Renault Espace "all over the road".

They found the car parked on the hard shoulder with Lowes, from Cardiff, slumped over the wheel.

Lowes, a manager with Britvic soft drinks, was breathalysed at the scene near Bridgend and found to be almost three times over the legal limit.

'Fine to drive'

Prosecutor Deena Loynton said: "It took two officers more than five minutes of constant knocking and shouting on the window to rouse her from her slumber.

"When she stepped out she was very unsteady on her feet and had to be supported by one of the officers."

The court also heard that when her car was examined two open cans of lager were found on the front seat.

Vincent Williams, defending said: "She had been to a friend's birthday party during the day and thought she would be fine to drive in the evening."

Lowes, of Llanedeyrn, Cardiff, admitted drink-driving and was banned for two years and fined £350.