A woman who recorded a drink-drive reading of more than four times the limit after a crash on Hogmanay has been warned that the court will consider all sentencing options.
Forfar Sheriff Court heard that after recording a roadside breath test of 94 mics – the legal limit is 22 mics – at a caravan park in Angus, Claire Glennie then refused to provide a second sample at Arbroath police station.
Glennie, 39, had a conviction for drink-driving in 2014 and was warned by Sheriff Pino Di Emidio that the new offence was a matter the court took very seriously.
Glennie, of Elizabeth Avenue in Grangemouth, crashed her Fiat 500 into another vehicle at the Claypotts Road junction in Broughty Ferry.
Depute fiscal Bill Kermode said: “The Fiat 500 car being driven by the accused was lodged under the other car’s back bumper and required to reverse to free itself.
“The accused said she felt a bit shaky after the accident and didn’t want the police involved.
“She exchanged details with the complainer and left the locus. She mentioned that she was driving to the Barry Mill caravan park.
“Police were contacted and they traced the accused at the caravan park. They noted that her car had damage to its front.
“She provided a roadside breath test which was 94 mics. She was then taken to Arbroath police station where she had three chances to provide another specimen of breath but she failed to do so.”
Mr Kermode also made a motion for seizure and forfeiture of Glennie’s car.
Defence agent Billy Rennie said there was an “element of anxiety” to Glennie refusing to provide another breath sample.
He said that the chance of her keeping her job as an assembly operator in Cumbernauld was remote due to the loss of her licence.
Mr Rennie submitted that Glennie, who appeared from custody, also losing her car would be “beyond draconian”.
He said: “No matter what the sentence is there is going to be financial consequences. The car is valued at £10,000 and that would alleviate a lot of the fallout of the consequences.”
Mr Kermode said his notes valued the car at £4,000 and said he made the application on a “public safety basis” as it was Glennie’s second conviction in just over two years.
Sheriff Pino Di Emidio deferred sentence until February 2 for background reports and imposed an interim driving disqualification.
He refused the crown’s motion for forfeiture of the car but told Glennie: “This is a matter of extreme seriousness. This is your second offence in just over two years.
“I’m going to defer sentence for a criminal justice social work report but all options remain open to the court.”
