Ban for ‘foolish’ pensioner who drove near schools almost four times the legal limit

A pensioner drove through streets filled with schoolchildren while almost four times the legal drink drive limit.

Alexandria Gillies had downed several glasses of wine before getting in her car to make a trip to the doctors.

The 68-year-old was caught by police as she returned to her home on Tummel Road, Perth, which is less than half a mile from two primary schools.

Perth Sheriff Court heard that Gillies had booked a taxi to attend the appointment but that it had failed to turn up, resulting in her taking the decision to get behind the wheel.

Depute fiscal Bill Kermode said Gillies was stopped by police at 3.45pm following a tip-off and there had been a number of schoolchildren in the area at the time.

Her defence solicitor said difficulty in getting appointments at her local surgery led to her making the “very foolish” decision to drive, despite having consumed wine.

Gillies admitted driving on Tummel Road on December 16 with 82mics of alcohol in her system. The legal limit is 22.

Sheriff Lindsay Foulis fined Gillies £1,200 and banned her from driving for two years.