A MOTHER-of-two who had never been in trouble with the courts before stole a car while drunk, crashed it and then attacked a policewoman.

Burnley magistrates heard Sandy McLoughlin, 28, was almost four times the limit as she smashed into another motorist with police in pursuit.

She could not remember the accident or assaulting the police officer, the court was told.

McLoughlin, a former heroin addict, who has replaced drugs with alcohol, has been warned she could go to jail after the justices said she put the public at great risk.

The defendant, of Birch Street, Bacup, admitted aggravated vehicle taking, drink driving, no insurance, no licence and police assault.

She was bailed until January 14, for a pre-sentence report and must live at Birch Street.

She had no previous convictions.

Bill Maude, prosecuting, told the court McLoughlin was at her partner's brother's home and he had put his car keys on the kitchen table. He then noticed his car had gone.

Shortly afterwards, police were in Newchurch Road, Bacup, when they saw the car being driven without lights. A vehicle in front of the stolen car pulled in and the defendant then overtook it and pulled in, hitting it.

Mr Maude said police stopped, spoke to the defendant and her breath smelled of drink.

The defendant refused to get into the police car, had to be handcuffed and headbutted an officer. McLoughlin was taken to Burnley police station and gave a test showing 121 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 mililitres of breath- the legal limit is 35.

Dylan Bradshaw, defend-ing, said McLoughlin probably couldn't have made a more serious start with her first appearence before the court.

He said: "She is fearful of the consequences. She is aware you could send her to prison today."