Spurned woman drove car into bowling alley Published duration 12 April 2012

A woman who smashed her ex-boyfriend's car into the bowling alley where he worked has admitted dangerous driving.

Claire Holley, 31, of Seddon Street, Salford, drove into the Hollywood Bowl in Middlebrook, Bolton, while in a drunken rage, Bolton Crown Court heard.

It happened in January after boyfriend Davy Jones had ended their two-year relationship and changed his Facebook status to single.

Holley, who caused £14,000 of damage, received a suspended prison sentence.

Geoff Whelan, prosecuting, said Holley had been "heartbroken and crushed" after Mr Jones ended their relationship, and had drunk half a bottle of wine and two large vodkas.

'Very emotionally upset'

She tried to contact Mr Jones to ask for a reconciliation after reading his status had changed to single on the social networking site, but he had turned off his mobile phone.

The court was told that she drove to the bowling alley, where Mr Jones worked, and was seen waiting in the car park and revving the car's engine.

She then drove the car, which belonged to Mr Jones, through the entrance of the alley and a cafe inside the building at speed.

No-one was injured.

In sentencing, Recorder Robert Crawford said she had been "very emotionally upset" by the break-up of her relationship.

However, he told her she had avoided going to jail "by the skin on your teeth".