Roads ban is extended after woman is caught drink-driving ... again

Motorist claimed she was trying to switch off car alarm

A banned motorist was caught behind the wheel of a car while sozzled... just weeks after admitting another drink-driving offence.

Leain O’Brien,44, of Ladykirk Crescent, Paisley, had her road ban extended to three years when she appeared in the dock at the town’s sheriff court this week, having notched up her second drinkdriving conviction.

Prosecutor Amber Feeney told the court: “Around 5.40am on July 30, a witness saw the accused in the driver seat of a grey Vauxhall and drive away.

“A short time later, other witnesses saw the car as they heard it skidding in the street and the accused exited from the car.

“O’Brien was then seen to stand at the end of another car and have a verbal argument with a male.

“Both the accused and the male entered a property when the car alarm began to sound. The accused exited the flat and switched the alarm off.

“Police attended at the scene and observed the accused in the driver’s seat of the car.

“Police asked the accused to provide a specimen of breath and she agreed.

“She was cautioned and charged and replied ‘I wasn’t driving, I was trying to switch the car alarm off.’”

O’Brien pled guilty to driving while under the influence.

The proportion of alcohol in O’Brien’s breath was 53mg. The legal limit is 22mg.

Defence solicitor Jim Clarke told the court O’Brien had already been disqualified from driving - meaning the minimum ban the court could now impose was three years.

Mr Clarke added: “There is a regrettable background to this.

“There was a failing relationship background and she regrettably left the house in the state she was in.”

On sentencing, Sheriff Brian Mohan said: “You were driving while over the limit.

“What’s caused more concern is what’s in the criminal justice social work report and that you pled guilty last month to drink-driving.

“Abuse of drink or drugs has caused you to lose track of things.

“You have clearly got a lot of difficulties and in recent months these have caused you to face these road traffic problems.”

Sheriff Mohan banned O’Brien from driving for three years, but if she completes the drink-driver rehabilitation programme there will be a nine-month reduction to her ban.

He also made her subject to supervision of the social work department for 18 months, stating: “This is to address your substance and mental health difficulties.”

You have clearly got a lot of difficulties ... these have caused you to face these road traffic problems