A DRINK-driver who crashed a car while an eight-year-old child was in the back has been banned from driving for six months pending further sentencing.

Lauren Cole had been to the pub in a friend’s car, without a licence or insurance, and crashed into a neighbouring vehicle while over the limit.

The child had been left in the back of the car – which had no rear seats or seatbelts – and was found bleeding and crying when officers attended the scene.

Cole, 24, of Twineham Road, pleaded guilty to driving while over the limit, using a vehicle without third party insurance, driving a vehicle in the absence of a licence, and causing unnecessary injury or suffering to a child in her care, when she appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

Pauline Lambert, prosecuting, told the court that a witness had seen Cole pulling out of a neighbouring pub at speed before crashing the vehicle.

“It is August 15 in the early evening at around eight o’clock when one witness is at home and hears the sound of a vehicle being revved up while coming out of the pub, and sees it pulling out at speed,” she said.

“She sees it at an angle not consistent with what she would expect and hitting her own vehicle, which was parked opposite.

“She describes three people in the vehicle and the driver was Miss Cole, who was saying she could not stay and had to get away.

“There were people reasoning with her and there was a child in the rear of the car which was bleeding. 999 was called, and Miss Cole and the child had gone back inside the pub.

“Officers arrive and see the Corsa with the near side wheel ripped off. They carry out a road side breath test which fails. Miss Cole tells them that the steering wheel locked and she pressed brake but the car did not brake.

“Another officer attends the scene and speaks to the child who is eight years of age. The child is crying and shaking and had blood on its hands and was in distress.

“The officer sees that the back of the car had no seats and no seat belts.

“Miss Cole has an excess alcohol conviction for which she was disqualified for 14 months in 2011, along with a driving while disqualified conviction from November 4, 2011.”

Mark Glendenning, defending, said: “Miss Cole went with a friend to the pub and had one and a half pints.

“They drove a very short distance to the local convenience store. The vehicle was not hers and had been lent to her by a friend. She said she was not familiar with the vehicle.

“She said she could not stay because she had concerns for the child. There was an injury and she wanted to attend to the issue. She does not make off, she simply goes to the pub. She is guilty and she accepts that.”

Chairman of the bench Mr Simon Crichton said: “This is a serious matter not only involving excess alcohol but also an injury to a child caused by your driving when you were over the limit and not restrained in the back of the car.

“All sentencing options are being left open.

“You are also being disqualified for the offence of excess alcohol and this will last for six months or until you are sentenced for the other matters.

“We are releasing you on unconditional bail to reappear at 9.45am on 30 September. ”