A DRUNK woman who drove 23 miles the wrong way on the M5 earlier this year, has been jailed for nine-months.

Deborah Hunt, aged 43, was sentenced by Bristol Crown Court today (Wed) after admitting driving north on the southbound carriageway, between Bridgwater and Weston on July 14.

The court was told how Hunt joined the motorway at around 11.30pm at junction 24 and drove on the wrong side at 60mph in the third lane and only came to a stop when her Peugeot 806 ran out of fuel. When police arrested her, she was found to be two-times over the legal drink-drive limit.

Hunt, of Langport, Somerset, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving without insurance and drink driving.

She was jailed for nine months, banned from driving for 15 months and ordered to take an extended driving course.

Supt Ian Smith, of Avon and Somerset police, said it was miraculous that she did not collide with any oncoming vehicles.

He said: “Deborah Hunt was lucky not to have killed someone or herself.

“Drink driving is in itself an inherently dangerous act but to drive on a motorway contrary to the flow of traffic is an outrageously perilous act that could have resulted in the most catastrophic of consequences.

“What makes this more appalling is the lack of regard she has shown in terms of the consequences of her criminal actions that may have resulted in her own death or serious injury.”

He said the police were committed to bring about prosecutions for drink drivers.

“The message is clear, we will be relentless in bringing offenders to justice and it is likely you will face not only a driving ban but a prison sentence.”