A HOMELESS woman has been banned from getting behind the wheel after she was found with amphetamine in her system while driving.

Cherie Jackson, 45, of no fixed abode, was stopped by police while she was driving a Peugeot car in London Road, Stanford-le-Hope, on November 26 last year.

She admitted the offence.

Magistrates fined her £120, ordered her to pay a £30 victim surcharge and £250 to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Magistrates also disqualified her from driving for 15 months.

The court heard that Jackson failed to return to Basildon police station on Thursday, February 2 after she had been released on bail for the drug-driving offence.

For that charge, which she admitted, she was fined £40.

She also admitted failing to appear at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, March 2.

Magistrates further fined her another £40.

Police are urging anyone who knows someone to get behind the wheel with alcohol or drugs in their system to call Essex Police on 101 or 999 if it is deemed an emergency.

Alterntively call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.