An Angus woman whose erratic mid-afternoon driving prompted a flurry of calls to police from concerned motorists was found to be nearly six times the legal limit.
Laboratory analyst Lisa Page travelled through various parts of Brechin before pulling over in the July incident to down more booze in her vehicle.
Police who arrived on scene recorded one of the highest alcohol counts to come before Forfar Sheriff Court since the drink drive limit dropped in 2014.
Page is undergoing treatment for alcohol problems and has been banned from the road, but a sheriff told the 39-year-old she posed a risk to other road users.
The court heard at around 2.40pm on July 26, other drivers travelling behind the accused in various Brechin streets called police with concerns about her driving.
Page eventually stopped and police arrived, immediately coming to the conclusion she was drunk, the court was told.
Page, of Caledonian Road in Brechin, admitted a breath alcohol reading of 130 microgrammes, against a legal limit of just 22.
Her solicitor told the court Page was a first offender and the licence she had held since 2002 was clean.
“Alcohol has been a difficulty for some time,” said the agent.
“She stopped to take more alcohol in the car. There is no way of knowing how much alcohol she took and how much effect that would have had.
“She is getting treatment for her alcohol difficulties and has been off work since the incident, but is due to return,” the solicitor added.
Sheriff Simon Collins said: “Disqualification is inevitable and, given the high reading, it will have to be for more than the minimum period.
“I am not unsympathetic to the problems that Mrs Page has in her life.
“On the other hand, trying to deal with those problems with alcohol and driving whilst under the influence of alcohol at this level puts other people at risk – punishment is still necessary.”
Page was fined £500 and disqualified for 24 months, with an opportunity to reduce the length of the ban by undertaking a drink-driving rehabilitation course.
