Tram-track driver banned

Magistrates sympathised with NHS worker Carley Telford for failing to provide a breath test after driving on to Metrolink tram tracks — and then banned her for a year.

After leaving a late-night barbecue with her boyfriend, she drove on to the line and got stuck.

At the police station she suffered breathing problems brought on by a panic attack and was unable to supply a sample, said Greg Kemp, defending.

He claimed the the road layout was misleading and many other motorists had ended up on the track.

Telford (27), of Anselms Court, Werneth, admitted failing to provide a breath specimen on May 7. She was fined £130 with £170 costs at Manchester Magistrates’ Court.

The magistrates said: “We realise you made a genuine attempt to blow into the machine and were remorseful and had a panic attack. You didn’t try to deceive anyone.”