A police community support officer who smashed into a parked car while three and a half times over the drink drive limit has escaped an immediate jail term.

Laura Crears, 36, was handed a 42-day suspended sentence and banned from driving for 30 months after admitting drink driving and failing to stop after a road accident.

The court heard how she collided with a parked vehicle, stopping only when her car "couldn't go much further", and was overheard telling her partner he needed to take the blame as she would lose her job.

Her solicitor said the incident was "serving as a catalyst for her to address longstanding issues" and he expected her employment would not continue.

At West Cumbria Magistrates' Court yesterday, Crears, of Stainburn Road, Workington, pleaded guilty to both offences, which occurred on April 25.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said, at around 9.15pm, residents on Stainburn Road heard a sound "like a car driving with a flat tyre". She said Crears' car collided with a parked vehicle and was significantly damaged before she continued up the road.

Mrs Fee said Crears, who "initially admitted she was driving", later "told police it wasn't her" but showed "remorse" during her breath test, apologising to officers who she knew through her work as a PCSO.

She was found to have 125mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

The parked vehicle "has been written off", added Mrs Fee.

A probation report, read to the court, said Crears and her friend had returned to the defendant's home with their sons and began drinking Prosecco.

It also said Crears was now "anxious" about her employment, having worked for Cumbria Constabulary for 11 years.

Mike Woolaghan, defending, said Crears "was a lady who has been working a role within the community which is pretty meaningful" and had a character reference from a colleague.

District judge Gerald Chalk, who sentenced Crears, said she had been carrying out a public service in her employment and had previous good character.

But he said it was a "very serious" incident and she had a "extremely high" alcohol level.

Crears was also ordered to carry out 60 hours of unpaid work as well as paying £85 court costs and a £115 victim surcharge.