A DECORATED American servicewoman and chapel worker from a top secret North Yorkshire spy base has admitted two drink-driving offences within six weeks.

Penny Ann Portivent, 35, whose address was given only as a box number at the US base at Menwith Hill, near Harrogate, was banned from driving for three years and ordered to do 80 hours of community service.

She was also ordered to pay £155 costs when she appeared before Harrogate magistrates yesterday.

Prosecutor Hilary Reece said Ministry of Defence police found Portivent's Ford Scorpio stopped near a gate to Menwith Hill with a burst tyre on August 4, and tests showed her breath alcohol level to be 94 milligrammes compared with the legal limit of 35.

At 5.40am on September 17 a police motorcyclist on the B6161 Killinghall to Otley road saw Portivent's car being driven dangerously and erratically, cutting bends and crossing white lines. Its rear fog lights were on, annoying other motorists.

When Portivent was stopped she was uncooperative, eating a mint when asked to give a breath sample. When a sample was taken it showed an alcohol level of 77 milligrammes.

In mitigation Simon Berger told the court Portivent's duties at Menwith Hill were ''very considerable at the moment, as you will appreciate".

He handed the Bench a letter outlining the nature of her work and the internal penalties imposed as a result of the two offences.

The possibility of Portivent, who had twice been decorated for her work, being discharged from her post could not be ruled out. Already she had been reduced in rank and lost £200 a month in pay.

Further punishment could follow for a woman who was active in the base's youth programmes and who did considerable work for its chapel.

Mr Berger said: ''She is very sorry. She regrets profusely what she has done. She has a very good military record and it is a stain on that record to be before a court, particularly at the moment. She is very upset about that.''

Updated: 08:23 Tuesday, October 30, 2001