A 73-year-old woman was told by a sheriff that if she continued to drive after drinking she would “kill someone”.
Sheriff Alastair Brown’s comments came after Heather Dailly, of Cross Street in Broughty Ferry, appeared on her third drink-driving charge.
The pensioner admitted that she drove with 72 mics of alcohol in 100ml of breath, more than three times the legal limit, in her home street on September 27.
At Dundee Sheriff Court, Sheriff Brown heard that Dailly was seen by a neighbour getting in her car and driving away while she was clearly under the influence of alcohol.
Police were contacted but Dailly had arrived home by the time officers arrived.
Sheriff Brown warned Dailly: “This is the third time you have been convicted of driving while under the influence of alcohol.
“If you keep doing this you will kill someone. You must stop.”
He told Dailly (pictured left) he was placing her on a community payback order as a direct alternative to prison, ordering her to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.
The sheriff added: “You are too old to go to prison.”
Dailly was also disqualified from driving for five years and was ordered to pass a test before she resumes driving.
Sheriff Brown gave Dailly six months to complete the unpaid work.
Anti-drink-driving campaigners hit out at Dailly’s actions.
Mike Bristow, spokesman for road safety charity Brake, said: “This is quite clearly an extreme case of a driver who simply does not understand the potential consequences of her actions behind the wheel.
“Driving under the influence of alcohol drastically affects reaction times and is a selfish act which could result in loss of life.
“The fact that this is a repeat offender clearly demonstrates that we need to see tougher punishments to prevent repeat offenders continually breaking the law.”
Nick Lloyd, road safety manager for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, added: “Last year 220 people were killed and 1,160 were seriously injured in drink-drive accidents.
“Fortunately, no one was injured in this case but that does not change the seriousness of the offence.”
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