Ditchling driver, 62, banned after drink-driving in Haywards Heath

Rita Hamilton-Bergin was arrested at 4.50pm on December 19 after a member of the public smelled alcohol on her and tipped off police that she had just got behind the wheel of a car in St Wilfrid’s Way, Haywards Heath.

When officers arrived the 62-year-old told police she had drunk three glasses of wine that afternoon. When she was tested she was found to have 91 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of her breath - more than twice the 35 microgrammes drink-drive limit.

Hamilton-Bergin, of St Peters Cottages, Ditchling Common, pleaded guilty to drink-driving when she appeared at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on April 23.

She was banned from driving for 24 months, fined £320 and ordered to pay £600 costs and a £32 victim surcharge.

Waqas Mahmood, 23, was arrested at 8.25am on 1 January after he was stopped while driving on the A23 at Bolney.

Mahmood, of Nuthurst Close, Crawley, pleaded guilty to drink-driving when he appeared at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on February 4.

He was banned from driving for 16 months, fined £110 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

A total of 118 people have so far been convicted of offences as part of Operation Dragonfly in December. A further 15 people are still going through the courts.

People in Sussex can text officers on 65999 with the details of people they suspect of drink or drug driving or visit www.operationcrackdown.co.uk.

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.