A drink-driving social worker was caught by police on a Fife road at nearly six times the legal limit with empty wine bottles in the footwell.
Maureen Okolo pled guilty to driving her car on the B914 Saline to Kelty road after consuming excess alcohol (125mics/22) on March 7 this year.
Dunfermline Sheriff Court heard the 42-year-old has a previous conviction for a similar type of offence.
Procurator fiscal depute Azrah Yousaf told the court police were contacted by “a number of members of the public” who had spoken to Okolo and were concerned she was under the influence of alcohol.
The fiscal depute told the court: “The vehicle was seen to have empty wine bottles (in it)”.
Ms Yousaf said it was driven towards Kelty and police tasked with finding the vehicle found it “swerving across the road”.
After stopping the car they spoke to Okolo who smelled “strongly of alcohol”.
The fiscal said police noticed the empty wine bottles in the footwell and breathalysed her.
Previous conviction
Defence lawyer Alistair Murphy acknowledged it was an “extremely serious level of intoxication”.
He said Okolo told him she did not drink frequently but does so to excess when she starts.
The solicitor said his client has been “engaging in self-destructive behaviour” since her mother died but last month was engaging with a GP and a programme to address alcoholism.
He said Okolo, of Moredun, Edinburgh, works as a social worker for Edinburgh City Council.
Mr Murphy said the matter has been referred to a governing body.
He stressed his client pled guilty at her first court appearance.
The lawyer said Okolo has a previous analogous conviction.
He said she told him she had had a fight with an ex-boyfriend and sat outside in a car.
Fined and banned
Sheriff Edward Gilroy told Okolo the alcohol reading was “very high” and referred to her previous conviction, which he noted was from more than a decade ago.
The sheriff banned Okolo from driving for 16 months and fined her £300.
He said if she successfully completes a drink-driver rehabilitation course her disqualification period would be reduced to 12 months.
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