News In Focus
10 April 2009
Drunk fiscal cleared of driving
A procurator fiscal was cleared yesterday of drink driving after giving evidence that her marriage problems led to her drinking a quarter bottle of vodka while sitting in her car.
Anne Hart admitted being in charge of her BMW while in an intoxicated state, but had left the keys on the floor by the passenger seat as a precaution. She told Arbroath Sheriff Court that her husband had thrown her out of their home earlier in the day. She admitted to being in a relationship with another man but was unable to contact him and she intended to go to her father's house.
She said she stopped the car because she was crying so much, drank the vodka and phoned her brother to come and collect her. Her brother confirmed the call. But the car had been causing an obstruction where it was stopped and the police got there first.
Sheriff Jamie Gilmour said the defence case cast a reasonable doubt on whether Mrs Hart was going to drive while still under the influence of alcohol.