A teenage drink driver tried to swap seats with a passenger to avoid blame after driving her car into a fence, a court head.
Molly Pickering, 18, had been drinking with friends at a local pub shortly before the accident in January this year.
The woman, from Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, drove there with the intention of leaving her car, the court heard.
However, it was said she "made the poor decision to drive" after being subjected to "peer pressure" from her friends and smashed her Ford Fiesta into a fence.
Soon afterwards paramedics who were called to the scene of the incident, which happened at around 2am, spotted her switching seats with her female passenger.
Pickering was taken into police custody and asked to provide a breath sample after being identified as the driver.
The apprentice painter and decorator refused, questioning why she would need to, Manchester Evening News reported.
At Tameside Magistrates' Court, Gareth Hughes, prosecuting, said: "It was around 2am on January 21 and police officers on patrol came across an ambulance stationary with its emergency equipment activated. They stopped and checked the situation and were told by the paramedics that they had seen the vehicle collide with a metal fence.
"After speaking to the two females present in the vehicle, the paramedics told them they had seen the females switch seats after they arrived. At that point both females were arrested."
He added: "Miss Pickering was in the passenger seat when police arrived but there was the information that they had switched seats. They arrested her on suspicion of driving a vehicle while unfit through drink or drugs.
"At the police station the breath testing procedure commenced but the defendant failed to provide a specimen of breath for analysis. She was warned that if she failed to do so she was at risk of prosecution but she still did not provide.
"She was given ample opportunity but she was questioning the reasons for giving a sample. Ultimately it was a wilful refusal.
A probation report compiled about Pickering said she had "regret for all of her actions" and noted that this was her first offence on record.
It went on to say that she "has not had any contact with the social group", as she now feels they have "different views". She is also selling her car, it said.
Pickering has since been concentrating on her apprenticeship with a painting and decorating company, who she has worked with for two years, the report said. Since the incident they have put plans in place for her to get a lift to work.
She was described as having a "low risk of reoffending", though the fact she was carrying a passenger and did have an accident were listed as aggravating factors.
Defending, David Caplin said: "It appears she is a conscientious and hardworking individual. She has done two years on her apprenticeship and she has one year to go.
"She is looking forward to qualifying in that profession. She has been candid with her employer, which is a very refreshing thing to hear.
"She is of good character. There are no previous convictions.
"She is certainly remorseful, as seen clearly in the conversation with the probation service. She has dropped those friends and associates she thinks could lead her down the wrong path.
Pickering admitted failing to provide a breath specimen and was banned from driving for 20 months.
She was also ordered to complete 60 hours of unpaid work, which will involve her volunteering in a charity shop, and will pay £199 in costs.
The 19-year-old was given the opportunity to reduce her road ban by a quarter if she completes a drink drive awareness course.
JP Dennis Hilton said: "We recognise that you are 18 and liable to make rash decisions. It does not excuse anything but we do note it.
