A woman who drove home after decanting wine at the wheel has been disqualified from driving for 12 months.
Dr Anne Grant was reported by concerned shop staff after she was seen pouring wine into a water bottle and setting off from the Tesco car park.
When police arrived at her home, Grant was clearly under the influence of alcohol and held her head in her hands while denying she had done anything wrong.
Yesterday at Perth Sheriff Court she was told she was “in denial” as a sheriff banned her and ordered her to carry out 110 hours unpaid work.
Grant, 44, of Lochinblair Gardens, Blairgowrie, admitted failing to provide breath specimens at Perth Police Station on April 27 after she drove in Blairgowrie.
Depute fiscal Bill Kermode said: “The day before, she had been in Tesco and a staff member had seen her buy two small bottles of wine, empty a water bottle and refill it with wine.
“They discovered the empty bottles in the car park. The next day they observed the accused pay for goods and then followed her out to the car.
“She seemed to sit in the vehicle a short time and they saw the driver’s door open and close again and then she drove off.
“They found a puddle on the ground and two empty wine bottles.
“Police went to her home address.
“She was spoken to. She was red in the face and smelled of alcohol.
“She turned her back on police, put her head in her hands and walked away.
“She became defensive, pacing around the living room, stating she hadn’t done anything wrong and was not going to provide a breath sample.”
Grant admitted to police she had been driving the car but continued to refuse to give a breath specimen.
Solicitor Mike Tavendale, defending, said his client had been made redundant and had sustained a serious injury in the last 18 months.
Sheriff William Wood told Grant: “You are a professional woman coming before the court for the first time and I’m sure it’s a matter of considerable embarrassment to you.
“Nevertheless, it’s your obligation to provide a specimen when requested to do so. There were circumstances here that justified that request.
“There may be an element of denial that you need to address.”