A Laindon woman caught drink-driving at nearly three times the legal limit was traumatised after being assaulted by her lover's girlfriend, a court was told.

Francesca Boswell, 25, of Aspen Court, crashed into a parked car in Brentwood and then drove away after being attacked in her car.

She appeared at Basildon Magistrates' Court to plead guilty to driving with excess alcohol, failing to stop at the scene of an accident, and driving without insurance.

JPs fined her £200, endorsed her licence, banned her for two years and ordered her to pay £55 costs.

Colin McInnes, prosecuting, said witnesses saw Boswell drive her Triumph Acclaim into a parked car, stop for a moment and drive away down Brentwood High Street. They memorised the number and called the police.

Less than an hour later, Boswell walked into Brentwood police station with her mother and told officers she had been in an accident after drinking too much.

A breath test showed 92mg in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg.

When interviewed, Boswell said she did not know she had to stop after an accident, and claimed she only waited to go to the police station as she wanted her mother with her.

Lisa Morris, defending, said single mother Boswell had recently split with her partner after six months when he returned to his ex-girlfriend.

The pair had agreed to meet in a bid to get back together, and left the pub at about 10.20pm to talk privately in her car.

The man's girlfriend then turned up, opened the car door and started punching Boswell in the face, leaving her with swollen eyes and a bleeding nose. The man ran off.

Boswell was left upset and distressed. Miss Morris said she had meant to call her mum and ask for a lift home, but "panicked" and tried to drive.

Unemployed Boswell, whose two children are four and six, has sold the car, Miss Morris added.

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