A WOMAN who hit three parked cars before crashing into a house said she was "swerving to avoid a cat".

Katie Dickenson, 27, of Old Sarum pleaded guilty on Friday (January 6) to failing to stop after a road accident.

Salisbury Magistrates Court heard how she drove her Volkswagen Golf into Coldharbour Lane at speed before the collision on Saturday, July 02.

Prosecuting, Kate Price said witnesses saw Dickenson get out of her car to check the damage, before driving off.

The main damage was to the house, with some bricks dented, as well as pieces of metal from the three cars spread across the road.

Dickenson then failed to report the damage to the police, or pass on her insurance details.

Defending, Nick Redhead said she had been out to collect a friend, and on entering Coldharbour Lane had swerved to avoid a cat.

He then said that the 27-year-old had been signed off work with depression after a relationship break-up, which had not helped her decision, but she had felt guilty about the accident and contacted the police.

Magistrate Deborah Couzens said that "considerable damage" was caused, and it was her late contacting of the police that kept the punishment to a fine and penalty points.

Dickenson must pay a total of £467 and was given nine penalty points.