A female drink-driver who flipped her car on Monifieth High Street has been banned from the road and given an unpaid work order after the dramatic summer‘s night crash.
Pedestrians rushed to the aid of Carol Nicoll after the spectacular accident just before 10pm, looking after the shocked 58-year-old prior to the arrival of emergency services.
But when she was finally able to be tested for alcohol almost three hours later, Nicoll gave a blood reading of 175 milligrammes – three-and-a-half times the legal limit of 50.
Nicoll, of Cambustay Gardens, Dundee, appeared for sentence before Sheriff Pino Di Emidio at Forfar following the preparation of social work reports after her earlier admission of the offence, which happened on June 3.
Depute fiscal Robbie Brown told the court: “Just before 10pm police received a call about the sound of a crash.
“They found that the accused had contrived to leave her car lying on its roof in the middle of Monifieth High Street.
“Because of the potential that she had sustained injury a sample was not taken for a period of around three hours.”
Defence solicitor Lynne Sturrock said her client recognised it was a high alcohol count.
“She wholly apologises for getting behind the wheel and can’t really provide any explanation as to why she did it,” said Ms Sturrock.
“She knows it was an extremely stupid and potentially catastrophic action, and realises the consequences could have been much worse.”
The solicitor added: “She has no previous convictions. The vehicle was written off in the incident and she hasn’t driven since.
“She is able to walk to work and advises me that she does not intend to drive when any period of disqualification is over.”
Sheriff Di Emidio told Nicoll: “You appear as a first offender but the reading is a fairly substantial one on any view.”
Nicoll was banned from driving for 17 months and must complete 130 hours of unpaid work under a Community Payback Order.
