A model has been spared jail after being caught drink driving for a second time.

Monica McDermott, 41, could not walk straight when police stopped her black Lexus on Churchill Way.

The former model and mum-of-one of Mill Lane, Macclesfield, refused to give a breath sample. When police finally managed to breathalyse her she was three times the limit.

McDermott, who works for a marketing company, pleaded guilty to drink driving at Macclesfield Magistrates court.

It came after she avoided prison in 2012 when she crashed her car in Alderley Edge while four times the legal limit. She was banned from driving for two years.

Prosecuting Debbie Byrne said: “Police received information about a black Lexus driving all over the road and nearly hitting cars. The officer turned on the emergency lights but the car made no attempt to stop. He drove diagonally to block her way. She crept the car forward like she was trying to drive off. He reached inside to turn the engine off. When she got out she struggled to walk in a straight line. She refused to give a breath sample and tried to get out of the police car. The officer used captor spray and called officers to restrain her.”

McDermott told magistrates she had been drinking more because she felt isolated after moving home.

She said: “My son was away on a trip and I was lonely. I had been drinking in the afternoon and got myself in a state. My friend said to go around and stay the night. I’d had a bottle of wine but thought I’d left enough time and would be ok. I couldn’t believe I got in this mess again.

“I could have harmed someone. I’m embarrassed and ashamed.”

Probation officer Mike Isherwood said McDermott has had a series of traumatic life experiences.

Adrian Long, chairman of the bench, said: “We’ve listened to what you and Mr Isherwood said but it was a very high reading and you have a previous conviction.”

She was given an 18-month community order, alcohol rehabilitation programme, 120 hours unpaid work and was banned from driving for four years.

Probation officer Mike Isherwood said: “Her experiences in life have been chaotic. I don’t think she’d cope well in prison. I’ve not seen anyone with such low mood.”

McDermott was given a suspended sentence in 2012 after crashing her car while nearly four times the limit after downing bubbly at a networking event.