A former primary school head teacher was caught driving a car while four-and-a-half times the legal alcohol limit.
Linda Birtwistle, 59, former head teacher of Canongate Primary in St Andrews, has now been banned from the road.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard that motorists spotted Birtwistle driving through Fife, over the Tay Road Bridge and into Dundee on December 4.
Fiscal depute Trina Sinclair told the court: “At 1.55pm other motorists saw the accused driving extremely slowly.
“At one point the accused’s vehicle mounted a grass verge and crossed on to the other side of the road before returning to the proper side.
“One witness followed her on to Riverside Drive and when both vehicles stopped at traffic lights he got out of his car and approached the accused’s car.
“He knocked on her window and asked her if she had been drinking but she said no.”
An agent acting on behalf of Birtwistle said: “She had been drinking the night before and mistakenly thought she was OK to drive — she didn’t think she was over the limit.
“She’s had a 38-year career as a head teacher and recently retired from that post. She’s had a difficult year, having been diagnosed with depression and having lost her mother earlier in the year.
“She is seeking counselling and has taken steps to address her problem.”
The court heard Birtwistle had no previous convictions and has never come to the attention of the courts before.
Birtwistle, of Old St Andrews Road, Guardbridge, admitted driving a car with excess alcohol (100mics) on the Leuchars to Newport road, Newport to Tay Road Bridge road, the Tay Road Bridge and Riverside Drive.
Sheriff George Way said: “It’s unfortunate you find yourself in this position after leading an otherwise law-abiding life.
“The effect of alcohol is different on everyone — your driving clearly was impaired or you wouldn’t have come to the attention of other drivers.
“The reading would have been high even under the old limit but under the new limit it’s nearly five times.”
The sheriff disqualified Birtwistle from driving for 12 months and fined her £400.
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