The mum was was drinking in her car as she had a ‘stressful day at work’ (Picture: Cavendish Press)
A mum who tested four times over the drink-drive limit told a judge she was only drunk because she had stopped to watch a Netflix film.
Jessica Matthew, 26, was found asleep at the wheel in July with the engine still running.
Concerned shoppers at the retail park had worried she was dead.
Witnesses banged against the window and even shook the car to attempt to wake the unconscious travel agent.
Matthew eventually responded after police arrived at the scene. Officers had noticed a bottle of gin and tonic on the passenger seat of her hatchback car.
The mum-of-one has since been handed a £200 fine, telling Tameside Magistrates Court that she parked her car at Sandbrook Retail Park to watch a film on her phone after a ‘stressful day at work’.
She added that when she starts drinking she ‘can’t stop’.
Prosecutor Shazad Aslam said: ‘MacArthur and a few others tried to shake the car and make loud noises in an attempt to wake her up. One of the witnesses called the emergency services but the defendant had woken up before they arrived.
Witnesses thought the travel agent was dead after they saw her slumped over the wheel (Picture: Jessica Matthew/ Cavendish Press)
Matthew was parked Sandbrook Retail Park where she wanted to watch a film on her phone (Picture: Cavendish Press)
‘When questioned by the police Matthew’s voice was slurring and she complained of being “dizzy but fine” and that she “had just fallen asleep.”’
Matthew, who had previously checked into rehab, appeared in the dock with her leg in plaster and using crutches after an unrelated incident.
The court heard her injury meant that she could no longer work and has become dependent on universal credit and her father, who accompanied her to the hearing.
Vic Wozny, defending, said: ‘In her seven years of driving, she has not clocked up one conviction or offence whilst on the roads.
‘The alcohol was already in her vehicle as she has had a recent difficulty with drink. She has previously been to rehab but each time it did not work and returned to the drink.’
Despite deciding not to hand her a community sentence, judges warned Matthew that next time ‘she won’t get a second chance’.
They said: ‘We have thought about this long and hard and given your previous good character, the kind of work you have done up to this point and your personal circumstances we do not deem it necessary to give you a community sentence.
‘However if this ever happens again you won’t get a second chance.’
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The travel agent was fast asleep at the wheel with the engine still running.