A woman who had a row with her partner while they were out for a meal later crashed her Land Rover into a parked car and was found to be more than three times the legal drink-drive limit.

Another motorist saw chartered accountant Claire McCarthy crash her vehicle into a car which was parked in London Road, Gillingham, in April.

The witness stopped after the smash and police were called. When officers arrived McCarthy was given a breath test and failed it.

The 52-year-old mother-of-two was arrested and given further breath tests at a police station and gave a reading of 106 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

McCarthy, of Rotary Gardens, Gillingham, was later charged with drink driving and admitted the offence when she appeared before Medway magistrates on May 17.

Chelsea Clarke, prosecuting, said: “A passerby saw the vehicle collide with a parked car and stops and speaks to her and officers attend.

“She is given a breath test and fails it and tells officers she’s done something stupid after a row.”

Defending herself, McCarthy who usually drives to see her clients, said: “I had a silly argument with my partner.

“We had been out for dinner and then I got a call from my daughter who was crying and upset her boyfriend was not coming over so I jumped in the car to drive home.

“It was stupid and very dangerous and I never drink and drive, but I have been drinking too much lately and I have now been to a detox clinic and I am 28 days sober as of today.

“It was reckless and ridiculous and a dreadful mistake.”

Magistrates banned McCarthy from driving for 24 months and placed her on a 12-month community order which will see her complete 120 hours of unpaid work.

She was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £114 and £85 costs and if she completes a drink-driving course, her ban will be reduced by a quarter.