Crash mum's vow to quit

Tracey Abbott was later found to be nearly three times the legal drink-drive limit after she crashed down the slope in St Peter's Close, Darwen.

Blackburn magistrates heard Abbott then drove out of the embankment in her badly damaged car and managed to complete the short journey to her home in Starkie Street.

But she was followed by witnesses who then contacted police, the court was told.

After appearing in court, Abbott confirmed the incident had been a defining moment in her life and said: "I have been to the doctors and am going to counselling."

Abbott, 28, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol two weeks ago, when she appeared in court.

She was made subject to a community rehabilitation order for 12 months, disqualified from driving for two years and ordered to pay £34 costs.

Abbott, who gave a reading of 94 against the legal limit of 35, agreed to be referred to the drink-drive rehabilitation programme which, if completed successfully, would reduce her ban by up to 25 per cent.

John Dewhurst, defending Abbott, told the court the incident was the tip of the iceberg as far as his client was concerned.

He said: "It could well prove to be a defining moment in her life."

Mr Dewhurst said Abbott, a school cook, had split from her husband and was looking after their three children.

"The break-up of her marriage and the stress of being a lone parent has taken its toll on this lady," said Mr Dewhurst.

"For some time she has felt under a great deal of stress and one of the ways she relieves that is by drinking."

Peter Wilde, prosecuting, said the car driven by Abbott was seen travelling up Turncroft Road from Sough Road before plunging down the embankment between the school and St Peter's Close.

He said the car was driven out of the embankment and the witnesses, who had contacted the police, noticed two children in the back and also that the car windscreen and the front tyres were damaged.