A motorist who drove her car into a taxi at Falmouth told police officers she thought she was “a little bit tipsy” – and was found to be three times over the legal limit.

Nicola Foster, 36, of Longfield, Falmouth pleaded guilty at Truro Magistrates’ Court to drink driving on November 23.

Alison May, prosecuting, said police had been called after the collision between her car and a taxi carrying passengers at Penmere Hill at 8pm. A number of whiplash injuries had been suffered as a result.

Foster told the police she had been to a Christmas works “do” at 3.30pm and had drunk a bottle of wine. She left at 7.45pm to go home and knew she was over the limit. She said she had been fiddling with her CD player in the car and the next thing she knew was swerving and colliding with the taxi.

Foster had no previous convictions. She tested at 125 mcg alcohol in breath.

Elliott Moore, her solicitor, said she was devastated to be in court and could put forward no explanation for driving because she could not understand what made her do it. She had been a chef in the Falmouth area for 15 years, and while sometimes drinking to excess, felt she did not need any help with a drink problem.

Foster was banned from driving for 30 months and told to do 150 hours of unpaid work. She had to pay £145 costs and surcharge.