A DRUG driver who was spotted swerving 'erratically' across lanes in Greenock in the early hours of the morning has been banned from the roads for 39 months.

Samantha Jewell had been facing the prospect of prison for the 4am offence and failing to provide specimens of blood for analysis in order to determine her level of intoxication.

Police caught Jewell, 33, behind the wheel of a silver-coloured Ford Mondeo after spotting her 'driving erratically with poor lane discipline' and 'swerving across lanes' on Sir Michael Street, High Street and James Watt Way.

She was found to have 'dilated pupils, slurred speech and was acting drowsy' on March 28 last year, the sheriff court heard.

Procurator fiscal depute Craig Morrison said: "She was impaired and in a state of intoxication.

"She was arrested and as police attempted to place handcuffs on her she lashed out, kicked her legs and struggled with her arms."

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Jewell, of The Esplanade, was eventually restrained and taken to Greenock police office where, at 6.45am, a doctor determined that she was impaired due to drugs.

She was also found to have been driving without a valid insurance policy.

Her solicitor Marc Chambers told the court there had been no other offending since the incident.

Mr Chambers said: "A year has passed and her circumstances have significantly changed.

"She has demonstrated she is motivated to improve her life."

Sheriff James Varney sentenced Jewell to a community payback order as a direct alternative to custody.

She will be under the supervision of the criminal justice social work department for 12 months with a drug treatment requirement.

The sheriff also imposed a 20-week electronic tagging nighttime curfew on Jewell.