A ROAD-RAGE driver who tail-gated one vehicle and crashed into the back of another appeared in court today with a walking stick after breaking both ankles in the smash.

Jayne Wakefield hobbled into the dock and sobbed yesterday as she faced being sentenced for "losing her head" after an argument with her teenage daughter on April 13.

Wakefield reacted badly to the 14-year-old going off in a friend's Land Rover after the row, sped up behind the vehicle and got so close that her headlights could not be seen.

Teesside Crown Court heard how she swerved from side to side as if to either overtake or undertake as she pursued her daughter and pal through east Cleveland at night.

After the Land Rover driver took evasive action and drove off-road to shake off 41-year-old Wakefield, she continued to drive around Redcar looking for them, the court heard.

Joseph Spencer, prosecuting, said one motorist had to swerve to avoid unemployed Wakefield's red Ford Ka in the middle of the road, while a second driver was not so lucky.

Michael Heath suffered severe whiplash and cuts and grazes to his head and arms when Wakefield ploughed into the back of his Renault Clio and left it an insurance write-off.

Wakefield failed a roadside breath-test, but when she was taken to hospital to be treated for her broken legs, she provided a blood sample which put her under the limit.

The court heard that she had been drinking wine with a friend in Skelton when she got a text message from her daughter asking to be picked up from a farm in nearby Brotton.

Mr Spencer said they began to argue after Wakefield reversed into a ditch, the teenager got from the car, contacted her friend and she was picked up in her Land Rover.

After her arrest, Wakefield admitted her driving had been "crazy" but told police that she did not get on with her daughter's pal, and claimed she had been abusive towards her.

Andrew Teate, mitigating, told the court that Wakefield had never intended to hurt anyone, and broke down in tears as she contemplated all the problems she had caused.

"It is perhaps thankful that the injuries she suffers are much more significant than those suffered by any victim," Mr Teate told Judge Howard Crowson. "She had an operation."

Wakefield, of Windermere Drive, Skelton, admitted dangerous driving, and was given a ten-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, with Probation Service supervision.

Judge Crowson also banned her from the roads for three years and told her: "You know it was bad driving. It went on for quite a few miles. I think you lost your head a bit that night."