A DRUNK student drove erratically on city streets to distract her rowdy passengers, a court heard.

Olivia Thornton, in her final year studying forensic biology at the University of Worcester, admitted driving while above the alcohol limit when she appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court on Thursday, (October 29).

Elizabeth Blacklock, prosecuting, said police were driving over Worcester Bridge on September 23 this year, when the 20-year-old's Audi came to their attention, due to the speed and the way it was being driven.

"It was swung quite aggressively across two lanes," the prosecutor said.

"And it appeared to clip a curb approaching the roundabout.

"The vehicle was followed and it continued to swerve, eventually it was stopped by police."

Miss Blacklock said Thornton had a few of her housemates in the car, and after failing a roadside breathalyser she was taken to Worcester Police Station.

The lowest reading of 41mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath was later taken by officers, above the limit of 35mcg.

"The aggravating features in this case are the standards of the driving, plus she had passengers," Miss Blacklock added.

Richard Hull, defending Thornton, who had no previous convictions, said: "She loved her car, she loved driving.

"She tells me when she went out on evenings with her friends, who she shared her house with, she would be the designated driver because she wanted to drive.

"What happened on this night, she accepts she was bought vodka and lemonade and drank it.

"She felt sober. She took the risk, she was over the limit."

Mr Hull said Thornton had left on her own and, while returning home, saw her housemates - who were all men - being "boisterous" on the bridge so she picked them up.

Mr Hull said Thornton accepted she had been swerving in the road, but had said it was not due to the amount she drank that night.

"She says there was a bit of tension (in the car) and she tried to defuse it by playing around - it was a poor choice," Mr Hull said.

He added Thornton, of Willis Place, Worcester, did not accept she had clipped the curb.

He said in addition to being a student Thorton also worked as a healthcare assistant in Birmingham, where she comes from, at weekends.

"She has told her employer, fortunately they remain supportive," he said.

"But what she will have to do is take public transport from Worcester to Birmingham."

Magistrates banned her from driving for a year but did offer her the drink drivers rehabilitation course which, if she completes, will reduce the ban period by three months.

She was fined £180 and was ordered to pay costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £34.

Thornton agreed to pay the full amount, £349, within a month.