A BUSINESSWOMAN has lost her driving licence after smashing into the side of her husband’s parked van in a rage, a court heard.

Emma Dunn received a 12 month driving ban and community order, with 150 hours of unpaid work, following the incident last September.

She was sentenced yesterday at Ipswich Crown Court for dangerous driving having admitted purposely hitting her husband’s car after a row.

Two witnesses reported Dunn’s driving in North Road, Clacton, where the car is regularly parked, and she is now banned from as part of a restraining order.

Before sentencing her, Judge David Pugh said the matter was “exacerbated” by the mum-of-two having 11 convictions for 19 offences.

He said: “It’s been some years since you’ve been convicted of anything that suggests aggressive behaviour the last one being using racially threatening words or behaviour in 2005.

“I come to the conclusion, bearing in mind you’ve pleaded guilty, albeit late, that I can deal with you by way of a community order.”

The 39-year-old caused £900 of damage to her husband’s transit van which she must pay back.

The court heard Dunn is also his carer after a car accident nine years ago caused him mobility issues.

Catherine Bradshaw, prosecuting, described witnesses’ testimony the evening Dunn smashed into the car.

She said: “Ms Dunn was in quite an agitated state. They saw her swerve across the road and deliberately hit the van, reverse and drive off at some speed.”

Shade Abiodun, mitigating, said Dunn “accepts her actions were wrong” and on the day in question had “simply lost her temper”.

She added: “She’s very sorry and would like to express her remorse to the court.”

Ms Abiodun pleaded with Judge Pugh to restrict the driving ban so Dunn, of Heatley Way, Colchester, could get back to running her mobile catering business and removal company.

She said: “She’s now going to be reliant on benefits until she’s in a position to get her licence back and get her