Moray woman was nearly six times the legal limit, Elgin Sheriff Court hears

A woman has been banned from driving after she was found to be nearly six times over the legal alcohol limit while behind the wheel in a Moray town.

Sheona Smith, formerly of Forres but now living in Inverness, appeared at Elgin Sheriff Court for sentencing regarding an incident on May 11 this year.

The court heard that police traced the 34-year-old on South Road in Forres at around 11.40am and pulled her over after responding to an ANPR hit which helps detect vehicles which could be of interest to law enforcement.

The officers said she was “clearly intoxicated” noting that her eyes were “blurred” and that she was “slurring” her words.

A roadside breath test confirmed their suspicions, returning a reading of 130 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 22 micrograms.

Defence solicitor Grant Daglish told the court there were “sensitive” reasons behind his client’s condition on the day in question which he did not disclose in open court.

He added: “Ms Smith is embarrassed and remorseful. She is fully aware of the potential danger she could have caused. I don’t think you’ll see her in a courtroom again.”

Sheriff David Harvie disqualified Smith from driving for 14 months.

However, completion of a drink driver rehabilitation course will reduce this by three months.

She was also fined £420 to be paid within two months.