A deputy headteacher at a leading Perth private school who drunkenly fell out of her car after two hit-and-run smashes has been banned from the road.
Dana Cooper’s career was derailed after a series of “bad decisions” she made on December 15 last year, Perth Sheriff Court heard.
The 46-year-old was spotted by a neighbour driving off after hitting a parked car.
She later collapsed in front of officers after reversing her Volvo into a lamp post.
Cooper, who was junior years head at independent Kilgraston School at the time, refused to be breathalysed and told police: “I believe I have a reasonable excuse.”
However, if she did, it was not revealed when Cooper returned to the dock for sentencing on Wednesday.
She was fined £1,200 and disqualified from driving for a year.
It is believed she resigned from her position at the school.
‘Considerable’ impact on accused’s life
Sheriff William Wood told her: “I am satisfied that I can deal with this by way of a financial penalty.
“You come before this court as a first offender and the impact of this on your private and professional life has been considerable.”
Cooper, of Strathallan Park, Forgandenny, was told she could reduce her ban by a third if she attends a drink-drive rehabilitation course.
She admitted failing to stop and leave her details after collisions in Dunning and Bertha Park, Perth on December 15.
Cooper also pled guilty to failing to provide a breath specimen and not complying with a preliminary test.
‘Very, very ashamed’
Solicitor Rosemary Scott, defending, told the court: “This is a lady who has no previous convictions and has never been in trouble before.
“She had a good career but as a result of bad decisions she made that night everything has been affected.”
She said: “Ms Cooper does accept her poor judgement and is very, very ashamed.
“She very much regrets this incident and is well aware that the consequences could have been far worse.”
The solicitor added: “She had received a bump on the head and did not understand what the consequences would be of not providing a breath specimen.”
The court heard Ms Cooper was now pursuing jobs in banking and may be able to find work through an agency.
Ms Scott said although she does not have income, her client’s family had offered to lend her money to pay any fine.
“She knows there is no one to blame but herself.
“She is someone who acknowledges she should have known better at her age.”
The court was told Cooper’s insurance firm would compensate for the damage caused.
Two crashes and a collapse
The court previously heard how residents in Station Road, Dunning, heard a loud bang outside their homes just after 9pm on December 15.
One witness looked out and saw a Volvo swerving out of the street.
He stepped outside and noticed that his neighbour’s car was damaged.
Later, Cooper’s car was caught on CCTV backing into a lamp post in Bertha Park.
Fiscal depute Sarah Wilkinson said: “Just after 10pm, police officers in Bertha Park spotted the accused within her vehicle.
“They noticed the car had extensive damage to its front, near-side.”
Cooper fell out of the driver’s door as they approached.
“She appeared intoxicated and smelled strongly of alcohol,” the fiscal depute said.
After she refused to be breathalysed she was taken to Dundee police HQ, where she told investigators about her possible “reasonable excuse”.
She then asked to see a “lawyer and a doctor”.
Kilgraston School chose not to comment.
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