A WOMAN thought the Manchester gangland violence she had fled from had caught up when her partner went missing from their Darwen home.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Tracey Todd got in a car to go and look for him, despite the fact that she was disqualified from driving. She was stopped shortly after.

Todd, 37, of Manor Road, Darwen, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified.

The case was adjourned until March 3 for the preparation of pre-sentence reports and Todd was remanded on bail.

Nigel Holden, defending, said Todd lives with her partner and their two young children and, last week, she rushed to hospital with a stomach complaint and she was admitted.

While she was in hospital their home was raided by three masked men armed with machetes, baseball bats and a pistol.

"Her partner was brutally attacked and ended up in a hospital bed, ironically on the ward above hers," said Mr Holden.

"As a result of that, the family fled to Darwen to seek sanctuary with members of his family."

He said Todd was concerned when she woke and her partner wasn't there.

"She and her family have had a horrendous week and she simply panicked," said Mr Holden.