A DRIVER who told police she would rather go to court than provide a roadside sample to police has appeared before magistrates.

Penny Harman, 51, of Carter Street, Sandown, appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court on Friday where she pleaded guilty to one count of failing to provide a specimen when stopped by police.

Harman was taken to hospital on October 5 after she crashed her car into a wall, but refused to give a sample of blood.

Prosecutor, Vivian Ducie, said: "At around 12.30am, Ms Harman crashed her car into a wall in Newport. The rear of the car was sticking out into the road.

"As officers approached the car, they could see a female in the driver's seat who was passing in and out of consciousness.

"Officers were authorised by the paramedics to take a blood sample but Ms Harman repeatedly refused, telling the officers she would rather just go to court."

The court heard how Harman sustained ten fractured ribs and a ruptured kidney in the crash.

Harman's defence, Keith Verrinder said: "Earlier that night she had a fight with her partner. Her left her at the pub, where she drank far too much.

"She tells me she was going to order a taxi but, for whatever reason, she wasn't thinking straight and decided to get in her car."

Harman was sentenced to a 12-month community order and given a four-month curfew, from 7pm until 7am.

She was also disqualified from driving for 17 months and ordered to pay court costs of £85 and a surcharge of £90.