A DRUG driver has been disqualified after she crashed into a fence with her two young children in the back of her car, a court heard.

Natasha Machin, 30, of Lumley Walk, Amesbury, pleaded guilty to drug driving at Salisbury Magistrates' Court on Friday, July 26.

The court heard how Machin veered off the A345 at High Post, travelled up a bank and embedded her Vauxhall Corsa into a metal fence at a 45-degree angle near the business park on January 3.

Two young children were found in the car when police arrived on the scene and Machin told officers she was dealing with "a very difficult family situation".

A blood test revealed that Machin had 4.6 micrograms of THC, a compound found in cannabis, in a litre of her blood. The legal limit is 2mcg.

Natasha Machin crashed into a fence at High Post Business Park.Natasha Machin crashed into a fence at High Post Business Park. (Image: Google Maps)

Machin claimed she was trying to call the children's father while her children "were making a lot of noise" when she swerved off the road.

"The third of January turned her life and that of her family on its head. She was under very considerable stress in the days and weeks leading up to this matter," said Nick Redhead, defending.

The court heard how Machin was a single mother of two children whose father "is not as supportive as she hoped he would be".

Mr Redhead added: "Her mental health was poor.

"Her use of cannabis had become quite prolific at that point but she had not smoked on that day."

Machin's children were taken away from her by social services but a phased return process has begun as she tries to cut down on her cannabis use.

(Image: Newsquest)

Magistrates banned Machin from driving for 17 months and sentenced to a 12-month community order during which she must complete six months of drug rehabilitation and 15 RAR days.

Machin was also fined £80 and ordered to pay a £114 surcharge.

Chair of the bench Sarah Neish said: "I think you understand it was a really serious offence because you had an accident with your children in the car.

"You have spoken with probation and I think you do understand you need to change your ways so this does not happen again."