A drunk driver who crashed her car claimed a friend popped a joint into her pocket before police arrived.

Sanam Sharma, 34, from Bookham, was banned from driving for a year after pleading guilty to drink driving and having cannabis.

South East Surrey Magistrates' Court heard on Wednesday that Sharma crashed her car in Cleeve Road, Leatherhead, en route to buy baby milk on the evening of May 28.

Defence lawyer Colin Furness told the court: "After the incident a supposed friend came up to her and popped this small joint into her cardigan pocket saying 'this would help you'.

Mr Furness added: "He was standing by the kerbside and thought that would cheer her up somewhat."

He said she did not use drugs and would not have smoked the joint, which police found in her pocket.

He said Sharma drank three or four beers while celebrating her neighbour's success as an author before walking home to find she had run out of baby milk.

He said: "She walked to the Co-op but they had none and the nearest shop was in Leatherhead."

He said at an earlier date she had swerved to avoid a fox and this resulted in a problem with the steering wheel of her car.

Therefore on May 28 he said: "When she was moving her wheel locked and that's why the collision happened."

While the magistrates came to a decision Sharma, of Post House Lane, who was wearing a leopard print scarf, clasped her hands together.

Magistrate Jane Hargrave informed her that she would be fined £200 for being over the alcohol limit and £50 for having half a gram of cannabis.

She said the driving ban could be reduced by three months if she completed a drink driving rehabilitation course.