A nurse, who was caught driving at more than SEVEN times over the alcohol limit, has avoided a jail sentence.
Miranda Philip’s car was brought to a halt by another driver who feared she was going to cause a crash on a country road as she veered on to the wrong side.
When police arrived they found she was smelling of alcohol.
Philip, 45, runs her own practice, Aesthetic Spirit, in Dunfermline, carrying out cosmetic treatments such as botox injections, dermal fillers, wrinkle reduction therapy and skin peels.
She also has a weekly clinic at a beauty spa at Harvey Nichols in Edinburgh.
Philip, of West Harbour Road, Charlestown, previously appeared from custody at Dunfermline Sheriff Court and returned for sentencing having been warned she could be jailed.
She admitted that on May 14 on Limekilns Road, Dunfermline, she drove a car with excess alcohol. Her reading was 155 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 22 microgrammes.
Depute fiscal Katherine Fraser said, “The incident took place at 3.40pm. A witness was driving behind a white Honda Jazz and observed it to be veering over the centre lines of the road.
“He was so concerned that he managed to stop the car by sounding his horn. The Honda pulled over and the man parked in front of it then walked over to speak to the driver, the accused.
“He told her he had contacted the police.
“When officers arrived, she was still in the driver’s seat. She said she was a nervous driver who didn’t like to drive fast.
“The officers noted there was an obvious smell of alcohol from her.”
Defence solicitor Katrina Clark said her client was married with two children and was “extremely ashamed and remorseful” about her actions.
“She qualified as a nurse in 1996 and this incident could have a significant impact on her and her family,” she said.
“She has informed the NMC (nursing and midwifery council) of the offence. She expects a decision in the next six weeks on her ability to continue to practise.
“She realises that this level makes it a very serious matter and could result in a custodial sentence.”
Sheriff Charles MacNair said he was not impressed by Philip’s attitude to the incident as revealed in the social work report.
The sheriff said: “She denies consuming more than two drinks when it’s obvious she did. She says she didn’t think it would be unsafe to drive. She says doesn’t know why the level was so high and wishes she had asked for a blood test.
“It seems to me she’s remorseful about finding herself where she is and not about what she did.”
Sheriff MacNair banned Philip from driving for two years and imposed a community payback order with 12 months’ supervision and 160 hours of unpaid work. Philip will also have to take part in the road traffic group work programme.
