A MOTHER-of-three who refused to give a breath test has been banned from getting behind the wheel for three years.

Burnley magistrates heard how Diane Crummet, 39, had a previous conviction for excess alcohol in September 2000.

Peter Wild, prosecuting, told the court a police officer was at a petrol station in Kelbrook when he saw her Rover car swerving along the road as she drove towards Barnoldswick.

After stopping the car, the officer noticed her breath smelled strongly of drink and she appeared to be unsteady on her feet. Crummet failed to provide a breath test. She was arrested and later refused to provide a specimen for analysis.

The defendant, of Gisburn Road, Barnoldswick, admitted failing to provide a specimen of breath. She was also fined £100 and told to pay £55 costs.

Brian Irlam, defending, said Crummet had gone out in Burnley by bus with her sister who was celebrating her birthday. They had been to bingo and then out for tea and had returned to her sister's house in a taxi. Crummet had not been intending to drive.

But her sister's boyfriend broke into the property and assaulted both women. He had been prosecuted for breaking into the house in the past.

Crummet phoned the police. During the row, the defendant then decided to leave and set off back home. Crummet drove without any complications whatsoever and denied she had been swerving.