A WOMAN who drove into the back of a car stopped at traffic lights was later found to be more than four times the legal drink drive limit.

Blackburn magistrates heard Catherine Callaghan admitted drinking a bottle of wine, beer and shots before getting in her car to drive home.

Callaghan, 35, of Earnsdale Road, Darwen, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol. She was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months with 10 days rehabilitation activity requirement and 60 hours unpaid work. She was ordered to pay £85 costs and £122 victim surcharge and banned from driving for 36 months.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said a man driving along Blackburn Road, Darwen, had stopped at the traffic lights at the junction with Hollin Grove Street when another car ran into the back of him. Callaghan failed a roadside breath test and at the police station gave an evidential reading of 141 against the legal limit of 35.

She later admitted visiting the Anchor pub and drinking a bottle of wine, beer and shots. She said she knew she shouldn't have been driving but it was only a short distance home.

Gareth Price, defending, said his client, a single mum, had been frank and honest with the police.

"It was only a three-minute drive home and with hindsight she regrets the decision to make that journey," said Mr Price.