A MODEL failed to have her drink driving ban slashed this week - despite claiming she was fleeing a violent ex-boyfriend at the time.

Sharon Maxwell, from Beith, was banned from driving for five years in 2015 after she was caught behind the wheel while five-times the drink-drive limit.

Maxwell blew a breath reading of 104 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath - when the legal limit is just 22 - on February 22, 2015, and pleaded guilty to drink-driving and running a red light.

She claimed she had been the victim of years of domestic abuse at the hands of her unnamed ex-partner, saying he had previously hurt her with a hot iron, used a knife to cut her to the face and punched her on the face - leaving her suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

She said she spotted him driving passed as she waited for a taxi outside the Burgh Bar in Paisley and feared he would “beat the crap” out of her

She said she got into her car after he shouted: “I’m going to get you, you f****** bitch”.

In November 2015, after hearing that Maxwell was previously banned for 18 months for drink driving in 2010, Sheriff David Pender spared her jail for the offences, placing her on a Community Payback Order, giving her nine months to carry out 250 hours’ unpaid work.

Sheriff Pender also fined her £200 for running the red light and £200 for missing an earlier court date.

At Paisley Sheriff Court this week, Maxwell made a bid to have her licence restored half way through her seitence. But Sheriff Pender refused her bid – telling her he believed the sentence he imposed on her was just.

He said: “I can continue the case to August 20, if you wish me to do so, to obtain the police report.

“This was a bad offence and in my view it would be an inadequate period of time if I were to restore your licence today.

“So I can refuse your application in four or five weeks’ time or I can refuse it today - the police report really isn’t going to make any difference.”