04 March 2023 , 23:12
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A woman who was found drunk and asleep at the wheel outside McDonald's with a burger on her chest has been fined by police.
Caroline Fahy was nearly four times the limit when officers found her intoxicated in her Nissan Juke after visiting the fast-food branch in Birmingham.
The 44-year-old, from Erdington, claimed she had only consumed "a couple of vodkas" the previous night.
She was reported to police by a member of the public and CCTV showed her driving through the McDonald's drive-thru that night.
Fahy was due to appear at court on Friday for a trial, but failed to do so, and was found guilty in her absence.
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Police were called to McDonald's in Birmingham after a member of the public reported the woman (PA)Police were called to the McDonald's just before midnight on July 10 last year, reports Birmingham Live.
Prosecutor Shahid Rahman told the court: "Officers arrived and spoke to the woman. They noted the smell of alcohol. She was really upset, emotional and slurring her words.
"She was sat in the driver's seat and there were keys in her possession. There was an open can of cider in the front inside door pocket, along with a half-empty bottle of wine on the passenger seat and there was a bottle of vodka in a bag."
Fahy initially blew 135 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath against the legal limit of 35 micrograms.
After being taken to Oldbury police station she gave a reading of 84 micrograms more than two hours after the first test.
Fahy gave a no comment interview when questioned by police.
The prosecutor emphasised she had been charged with being drunk in charge of a motor vehicle and not drink-driving.
Giving evidence during the trial PC K Shorish explained: "On approach to the vehicle there was a strong smell of alcohol. I could instantly smell it.
CCTV showed Fahy had been through the McDonald's drive-thru in her Nissan Juke (file photo) (SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)"At that point Caroline was asleep in the driver's side. I had to wake her up. There was a McDonald's burger lying on her chest. I advised her to leave the car.
"I took her into my marked police vehicle. Inside her vehicle there was a can of open cider in the driver's side door, a half-empty wine bottle and there was a bottle of vodka in the car that was opened.
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"McDonald's had CCTV of the vehicle in the drive-thru a few minutes earlier. I saw it was a blonde lady driving that vehicle but it wasn't very clear."
He added Fahy was "crying all the way to custody" but she did not give a reason why. The officer described it as "like a drunken cry".
Fahy was fined £660 and ordered to pay £620 in court costs as well as a £264 victim surcharge.
She was not banned from driving and instead had 10 points added to her licence.
The Chair of the Bench confirmed they found the allegation "proved" and concluded they had decided on the appropriate punishment after taking into account Fahy's "previous good character and no other endorsements".