A MUM has been banned from driving after crashing into a garden wall while she was three times the legal drink drive limit.

Donna Jackson crashed her BMW 120i into a garden wall in Chinook, Highwoods, Colchester, on January 27 at 9.30pm.

Police attended the scene and found she had 107 mcgs in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Colchester Magistrates Court heard the mum-of-three is currently a student nurse at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford and is working towards a Masters degree at Chelmsford Anglia Ruskin University to be a physician associate.

Selena Dires, mitigating for Jackson, told the court Jackson had split from her husband in June last year and was a victim of domestic abuse.

Following the break-up, Jackson was forced to move her children to her mother’s house.

Court proceedings were needed to keep ownership of her home which only concluded in January, the court was told.

Ms Dires added Jackson was also accused of having a relationship with a patient while working at Broomfield Hospital although these claims have now been dismissed.

She said since the incident, Jackson has enrolled in counselling in an attempt to deal with her ongoing problems and battle her depression.

The court heard Jackson was relying on alcohol to cope with her problems at the time but has since been placed on medication by her GP which she must take four times a day and cannot be mixed with alcohol.

Ms Dires pointed towards Jackson’s long hours and stressful career as the reason she drank as well as her recent traumas.

She also pointed out the effort she has made herself to deal with her alcohol dependence.

She said: “She has taken steps herself to prevent this happening again.

“In her own admittance, this was her wake up call, daily drinking has increased her tolerance to alcohol and she felt fine at the time.

“She is incredibly embarrassed.”

Jackson 36, of Chinook, Highwoods, Colchester, admitted drinkdriving when she appeared in court yesterday.

She was banned from driving for 25 months, fined £250 plus £85 damages and £30 victim surcharge.

Magistrate Robert Clubb, said: “We have given you credit for your early plea but we are very concerned about the level of alcohol in your system at the time of the accident.

“We have thoroughly considered the balance of this case, and we believe this could be dealt with financially.”