A WOMAN who turned to drink after discovering her husband was living a double life crashed her car as she drove home from the pub.

Blackburn magistrates heard Monika Witkowska was more than three times the legal drink drive limit when she collided with street furniture.

When police arrived at the scene she was being detained by members of the public who had witnessed the tea-time crash.

Witkowska, 35, of Fishmoor Drive, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol. She was made subject to a community order for 12 moths with 15 days rehabilitation activity requirement, banned from driving for 28 months, fined £50 and ordered to pay £85 costs and £95 victim surcharge. The court heard Witkowska gave a blood alcohol reading of 271 against the legal limit of 80.

Samantha Hayward, prosecuting, said after the collision the defendant tried to leave the scene.

Laura Heywood, defending, said Witkowska had been with her partner for 16 years when she discovered he was living a double life.

"She found out he had children with another woman and that caused her emotional distress," said Miss Heywood.

"She was using alcohol as a coping mechanism and had been drinking with friends on the evening of this offence."

Miss Heywood said nobody was injured and no other cars were damaged in the collision.

"She has now abstained from alcohol for two months since this incident," said Miss Heywood.