A motorist was almost four times over the legal drink-drive limit when she was caught by cops.
Paisley mum Karen Aitchison, 56, was at the wheel of her black Seat Altea when she was pulled over at Main Street, Bridge of Weir, on January 16.
Officers noticed the smell of drink coming from her, and immediately requested another patrol car equipped with a breathalyser attend.
It was confirmed that she was over the limit.
Procurator fiscal depute Flora Napier said at around 8.15pm police were handed information that Aitchison was suspected of drink-driving.
Ms Napier said: “The police had received information in relation to the accused that she was suspected of drink-driving.
“Police witnesses attended and stopped the vehicle.
“They approached the accused and, on doing so, they noticed the smell of alcohol on her breath.
“They requested other officers attend with a road side breathalyser.
“The test was carried out and the accused was taken to Govan Police Station, where she gave a positive reading and she was cautioned and charged.”
Aitchison, of Foxbar, appeared at Paisley Sheriff Court, where she pleaded guilty to driving her car while the proportion of alcohol was 84 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath, and the legal limit is 22mcg.
Defence agent Charlie McCusker said his client’s life had fallen apart after she received bad news following her recovery from a hospital operation.
He added that the first offender had also suffered the tragic loss of her partner, whom she had been visiting in Bridge of Weir, only days after her arrest.
He said: “She had been through an operation in November last year and was told she requires a further operation.
“She took the view to decline that treatment.
“Her partner subsequently passed in January this year.
“She has been trying to deal with too much.”
Mr McCusker said Aitchison thas stopped drinking, has given her car to a friend’s son and she has vowed not to drive again.
He urged the court to deal with her as leniently as it could in the circumstances.
Sheriff Tom McCartney told her: “I have listened carefully to what has been said about your circumstances and also have regard to your plea of guilty at the earliest opportunity.
“The other important factor in regard to this matter is the high reading in this case.”
He banned her from driving for 14 months and handed her a £420 fine.
