A 52-year-old woman from Scotland has been jailed after being caught drink driving at over five times the legal limit – her third offence.
Police were called when the woman attempted to buy more alcohol from a shop in Oldmeldrum. Staff refused to serve her due to her intoxication before a witness saw her get into the driver’s seat of her car.
Upon her arrest and escort to the police station the woman became abusive, making racial remarks to an officer about him being from China, Mexico, and Pakistan.
Fiscal depute Susan Love told Aberdeen Sheriff Court: “At around 12.30pm the accused entered the Co-op on Colpy Road at which time she attempted to purchase alcohol, however she was refused service due to being intoxicated.”
She was then seen getting into her car.
“Around 10 minutes later the accused re-entered the Co-op, again to attempt to purchase more alcohol.
“She was asked to leave, which she did.”
“Just coming up to 1pm police entered Market Square and could see the accused closing the driver’s door.
“On approaching they could see the keys in the ignition.”
Officers said they detected “a strong smell of alcohol” from the defendant, who also appeared “unsteady on her feet”. She was cautioned and taken to the police station.
Ms Love then told the court: “Upon arrival she became verbally aggressive towards a police officer,” including the racial comments.
Defending, Liam Mcallister said that his client’s partner was suffering from ill-health and she was caring for him as well as assisting with the farm work while he was unwell.
He went on to say: “At the time, it’s worth noting, it was lambing season.
“She was under significant pressure. She turned to alcohol to cope with that pressure, the last thing she should have done given her history.
“It’s troubling that she appears with the previous convictions she does and she’s relapsed in the way she has.”
He added that her alcohol intake had “reduced considerably” following the incident. “She is a decent woman who has made some catastrophic errors in her life,” he concluded.
After hearing the woman plead guilty to drink driving, Sherriff Philip Mann told the woman: “You have again offended under this particular piece of legislation, with an alcohol count which is more than five times the legal limit.
“I’ve got to say I’m not one who enjoys imposing custodial sentences on anyone.
“I’m not enjoying this experience but I have concluded, because of the substantial risk you have caused to the public, there really is no alternative to a custodial sentence.”
He sentenced her to four months in prison and banned her from driving for six years.
