A WOMAN who was banned from driving for five years was denied the opportunity to retrieve her licence following a series of drink-driving offences.

Kerri-Ann Dyte, of Chalk Pit Farm, Theale, was disqualified from driving in December 2013 after she was stopped by police and failed a roadside breath test.

The 40-year-old made an emotional application to stop the order, claiming financial loss and incredible personal strain following spinal surgery.

Clare Barclay, prosecuting, said: "She has had four different offences of drink-driving, with the five-year disqualification for the latest offence made three and a half years ago.

"It is said Ms Dyte left a public house in Pangbourne and was spotted by police after driving erratically.

"She was crossing the central white line and driving on the wrong side of the road and later failed a roadside breath test."

Dyte said she attends AA meetings three times a week and daily physio appointments after suffering with paralysis, forcing her to spend excessive amounts of money on public transport.

She explained: "Since that day I have been attending regular AA meetings and I now appreciate the danger of my actions.

"I work full-time and I rely on public transport and taxis to attend these meetings and my physio appointments.

"When I rely on trains I often turn up late and have to reschedule around my job, which is also very physical."

Since being discharged from hospital, Dyte continues to struggle with walking and relies on the help of her friends for attending appointments.

Although Lorna Patterson, chair of the bench, agreed she made a convincing case, she refused to overturn the order due to the seriousness of the offence.

She added: "We have to balance your application with four very serious drink-driving offences and we feel we cannot at this stage give you your licence back.

"You have only served three years and seven months of the initial five-year order and although this may seem a long time to you, we do not feel it is a long enough portion given your history.

"We will reassess the case in three months."