was fined $1,000 and banned from the roads for 12 months, when she appeared in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Jane Jones, 52, of Middle Road, pleaded guilty to being without care and control of a vehicle on November 10.

Crown counsel Cindy Clarke told the court at about 9.20 p.m., Jones was spotted walking unsteadily along Front Street by an off-duty Police officer.

The officer followed Jones to a nearby parking lot on King Street and observed her trying to unlock the door of a car that was not hers.

Ms Clarke said Jones stumbled around the parking lot until she found her car, however when she attempted to drive away, the observing officer stepped in and told her get out of the car.

Jones, who had slurred speech and glazed eyes, asked the officer if she could call a cab, but was refused and remanded to Hamilton Police Station instead.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner fined Jones $1,000 and disqualified her from driving all vehicles for 12 months.