A woman who drove her car while more than seven times the legal alcohol limit was banned from the roads yesterday for 18 months.
Cruden Bay mum Gayle Imlah pleaded guilty to drink driving in February and appeared in Peterhead Sheriff Court to face sentencing.
The court heard the 43-year-old, who has a 12-year-old son, was spoken to by police on the evening of February 25 following a car crash on the A90 in Peterhead at the Howe O’Buchan roundabout.
She failed a breath test administered by the officers which revealed she had 165 microgrammes of alcohol in her system – seven-and-a-half times the legal limit of just 22mcg.
After hearing the facts of the case on Tuesday, Sheriff Christine McCrossan banned Imlah from driving for 18 months and also ordered her to be in the supervision of social workers for nine months to help address underlying issues that may have contributed to the incident.
Her solicitor, Stewart Flowerdew, said Imlah’s alcohol problems have also started to affect her job.
She faces a disciplinary hearing at her place of work.
He added: “She cooperated fully with the police.
“I don’t think it’s a case where community work need be a requirement. I do think some support is required.”
Imlah, of John Buchan Drive, had been due to be sentenced last month but failed to appear at court.
She allegedly suffered a panic attack in the morning and was given more time to attend.
Her case called following a string of alcohol-related motoring offences in the north-east.
A 49-year-old man was stopped near Oldmeldrum, while a 55-year-old woman was intercepted near Bridge of Don in March.
Renewing an appeal to clamp down on similar behaviour, Inspector Neil Morrison said: “I would remind drivers that they can still be over the limit the morning after and it is therefore always best to leave sufficient time before driving.
“We are often alerted to possible drink drivers as a result of information received from concerned members of the public.
“We welcome this information and I would thank those who take the time to phone and report alleged drink drivers and I would encourage this practice to continue.”
