A DANGEROUS driver from Kidderminster crashed into the back of a car driven by a pregnant woman, causing her to fear for the life of her unborn baby.

Emma Beattie, of Sutton Park Road, admitted driving a car dangerously following the crash near West Midland Safari Park, in Bewdley.

Beattie had already clipped a kerb and her bumper was hanging off following an earlier incident, Worcester Crown Court heard.

The 34-year-old appeared before his honour Judge Robert Juckes QC to be sentenced on Friday (January 13) following the crash on April 23, last year at 1pm.

Marc Davies, prosecuting, said Beattie had been seen driving erratically before the crash, pulling out in front of one driver so that they had to brake suddenly to avoid a collision.

The family were ‘distressed’ as they had an eight-month-old baby in the car.

Mr Davies said: “The defendant was described as driving fast and braking hard a number of times, swerving across the road and across the hatched area in the centre, hitting the kerb with enough force to cause pieces of the wheel and the plastic around the bumper to break off and bounce across the road."

A few minutes later she struck the back of a stationary car at a junction.

By this stage one of Miss Beattie’s tyres was already on the rim and the bumper was hanging off.

One witness said he thought Beattie's brakes had failed.

The pregnant woman in the car suffered whiplash and, because she was 13 weeks pregnant, had to go for a scan as a precaution.

Mr Davies was not aware of any complications resulting from the crash.

He said Beattie gave her name as 'Emma B' and when asked for her full name, got into her car and drove off.

Beattie has a previous conviction for drink driving from February 26, last year.

Rather than the usual ban she was given three penalty points because she had been fleeing domestic violence.

Alexander Barnfield, defending, said: "It's a sad case.

"There have been a number of issues in her personal life and a number of demons, if I can use that word."

Mr Barnfield said she had a 'difficult childhood' but was supported by her foster brother. On February 1, last year she heard that he died.

"He was her rock. She has found the loss of her brother bewildering and very, very difficult," said Mr Barnfield.

He added: "She is very remorseful."

Judge Juckes said: "I deal with the offence on the basis you were not in your right mind at the time you got into the car and drove it."

He sentenced her to eight months in prison, suspended for 24 months and banned her from driving for three years.

He also imposed a community order for two years. She must pay costs of £500.