A DRINK driver who crashed into two vehicles while she carried a child as a passenger has narrowly avoided a jail sentence.

Catriona Jeffries, 40, was found to have got behind the wheel of a Land Rover Discovery in Halstead, in March, while almost four times the legal alcohol limit, a court heard.

A breathalyser test recorded 134mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

Jeffries, of Pebmarsh Road, Colne Engaine, admitted drink driving at Colchester Magistrates’ Court.

The court heard she collided with two vehicles and was carrying a young child as a passenger at the time of the incident.

The court was persuaded to suspended a term of immediate imprisonment as Jeffries has three children who depend on her and she is the primary carer for her autistic son.

She was sentenced to 16 weeks imprisonment, suspended for one year.

Jeffries was also ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.

She was banned from driving for two years and eight months and ordered to pay £233 in court costs.