A DRUNKEN mother risked the life of her two-year-old daughter when she crashed her car while THREE times over the drink-drive limit.

Catherine Unsworth and her toddler were lucky to escape unhurt when she smashed into another vehicle in August.

Unsworth, aged 36, of Monks Lane, Breightmet, pleaded guilty to three charges when she appeared before Bolton magistrates yesterday.

She will be sentenced next month after the probation service has compiled a report. The magistrates stressed it was unlikely she would be sent to prison.

Ms Dianne Price, prosecuting, told the court that Unsworth had been driving down Stitch-mi-Lane, Harwood, at 1.50pm on Friday, August 1.

As she turned left into South Drive she hit a Mitsubishi Colt. Both vehicles were slightly damaged.

Ms Price said: "The police were called and noticed that Unsworth smelled strongly of alcohol. She was given a breath test, which proved positive."

Unsworth's sample showed 122mgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath. The drink-drive limit is 35mgs.

The single mother's two-year-old daughter, who was not named, had been sitting in the front passenger seat, strapped into a child's chair.

Miss Leah Dillon, defending, said Unsworth was of previous good character and had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

She added: "My client had just split from her partner and was suffering from long-term depression, for which she is still being treated.

"She was not responding to treatment and realises she was in desperate need of some help. She apologises to the court and makes no excuse for her actions."

Miss Dillon said Unsworth's condition was now improving after seeing a psychiatrist once a week and a social worker twice a week.

Her daughter is living with her parents until she makes a complete recovery.

Unsworth said she did not wish to comment on the case when the BEN spoke to her outside her semi-detached, two bedroom house.

The charges for which she will be sentenced on Tuesday, November 14, are driving a motor vehicle while exceeding the drink-drive limit, careless driving and drunk on a highway while having a child under the age of seven years in her charge.

Magistrates also imposed an interim driving ban, which means Unsworth must not get behind the wheel of a car before her next court appearance.