A serial drink-driver who got behind the wheel after a drunken Eurovision party has been branded a danger to road users.
Stephanie Gellatly was five-and-a-half times the legal limit when she drove from a fiend’s house in Alyth to her home in Muirhead, after celebrating Ukraine’s historic televised triumph at Turin last May.
The 52-year-old was previously put off the road for 16 months in 2019, after she was caught driving while nearly seven times the limit.
On that occasion, she appeared in court wearing checked pyjamas and a pair of Crocs.
Gellatly, of Coupar Angus Road, returned to the dock this week and admitted driving her Vauxhall Corsa with excess alcohol (123mics/ 22) on May 15 2022.
Sheriff David Hall banned her from driving for 50 months.
He rejected a bid by prosecutors to seize her car, after hearing it was used by her husband to travel to work in Dundee.
Police call
Fiscal depute Sam Craib told the court: “The accused spent the evening of May 14 at the locus in Anderson Place, Alyth.
“She was watching Eurovision with others and drinking alcohol throughout.”
At about 4.30am, a friend called Gellatly’s husband and asked him to collect her but later, the friend called police when she left the house on her own.
Officers attended and friends passed on her phone number.
“Police called the accused,” said Mr Craib.
“She answered the phone sounding drunk. She was slurring her words.”
The prosecutor said officers then visited her at home.
“She was observed to appear drunk with slurred speech.
“A smell of alcohol was emitting from her.
“She confirmed that she was the driver and failed a breath test.”
Gellatly was arrested and taken to police HQ in Dundee.
When cautioned and charged, she told officers: “I didn’t do that.”
Forfeiture bid
Mr Craib urged the court to seize the car.
“The levels of alcohol on both occasions were high.
“There was also a relatively short period of time between disqualification ending and the most recent charge.
“I would submit that the accused is a danger to road users given her previous convictions and her inability not to drink and drive.”
Solicitor Paul Ralph, defending, said the car was now registered in the name of his client’s husband.
“He works in Dundee and uses the car to commute,” he said.
Mr Ralph said that Gellatly continues to battle with alcohol issues.
Swerved prison sentence
Sheriff David Hall told Gellatly: “The level of alcohol here is exceptionally high.
“It is clear that you drove after spending many hours drinking.”
He added: “I am, just, persuaded to deal with you today in such a way that allows you to remain at liberty.
“I will not impose a custodial sentence.”
Gellatly was further placed on supervision for two years and ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.
She was told the sentence was a direct alternative to prison.
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