A WOMAN who crashed into a parked car in the early hours later failed a breathalyser.

Blackburn magistrates heard police found Catherine Johns in her home close to the crash scene and she admitted she was a functioning alcoholic.

Johns, 40, of Queen Street, Bacup, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol. She was fined £120 with £85 costs and £34 victim surcharge and banned from driving for 20 months.

Jade Coleman, prosecuting, said police went to Market Street, Bacup, at 3am following a report of a collision. The owner of the parked car gave police a description of the car responsible and the female driver. They found the car nearby and traced Johns to her home address.

“She admitted being responsible and said she had crashed on the way back from an all-night petrol station,” said Miss Coleman.

Colleen Dickinson-Jones, defending, said the defendant’s husband had died suddenly three years ago and she had found the whole situation very difficult to deal with.

“She was forthright and honest with the police,” said Mrs Dickinson-Jones. “The car has now been scrapped and she knows she has to address her alcohol consumption.”