A WOMAN who hit the bottle after a row with her partner got in her car to go for more booze.

Blackburn magistrates heard Charlotte Hulme was followed by another motorist who was concerned about the standard of her driving and eventually blocked her in with his van.

When she was breathalysed Hulme was found to be nearly four times the drink-drive limit.

Hulme, 33, of Waterfield Avenue, Darwen, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

She was sentenced to eight weeks in prison suspended for 12 months, and made subject to a community order with 120 hours unpaid work and 20 days rehabilitation activity requirement.

She was ordered to pay £85 costs.

Glen Anderson, prosecuting, said the witness was getting ready to set off for work when he heard the screeching of tyres and saw a Mini reverse across the road and narrowly miss colliding with a neighbour’s car.

The car set off with wheels spinning and then failed to stop before turning right into Watery Lane.

He followed and saw the Mini being driven on the wrong side of the road forcing another vehicle to take evasive action.

The car was driven onto Balmoral Road, narrowly missing another parked car, before turning onto Waterfield Avenue where the defendant was struggling to park.

“He pulled up alongside and told her to get out of the car because, in his words, she was clearly ‘off her head,’ " said Mr Anderson.

“She replied with abuse and then tried to drive off but the witness blocked her in with his van and called the police.”

Hulme gave a breathalyser reading of 133 against the limit of 35.

Waseem Chowdhary, defending, said his client was embarrassed and ashamed to be appearing in court for the first time.

He said a row with her partner had started her drinking and she accepted having three large glasses of wine before getting in her car to go and buy more alcohol.

“She accepts she shouldn’t have been on the road,” said Mr Chowdhary.

“She has been using alcohol as a crutch but has now sought help from her GP and steps are being taken to resolve her emotional problems.”