Crashed car just after a drink detox course

Driver refused breath test after car is found in field

was also imposed as a “direct alternative” to a prison term.

The accused, of Monteath Street, Crieff, admitted failing to co-operate with a preliminary breath test on the CrieffHuntingtower road, at Newmiln Farm, on September 30 - and then failing to provide a blood specimen at Ninewells.

A further charge of shouting and swearing and behaving in an aggressive manner at the hospital was also admitted.

Depute fiscal Michael Sweeney told the court that the accused’s cousin got a phone call about 11.45pm telling him she had been in an accident.

But she failed to give the location and “numerous police units” were dispatched to trace her.

Her car was found in a field at 12.15am but on seeing the police she attempted to move into the front passenger seat.

She had a head injury and police were of the opinion she was under the influence of alcohol.

“It was also noted that she was saying she hadn’t been the driver,” he added.

She refused to provide a preliminary breath test and was then taken by ambulance to hospital.

She also refused to give a blood test about 2am, explaining that she was “unwilling to comply” before she had spoken to her lawyer.

The fiscal added: “Throughout the time she was within the treatment area at A&E at Ninewells, she was continuing to be hostile... by shouting and swearing.”

Solicitor Jamie Baxter said a background report on the the accused indicated she was married but separated.

There had also been problems with a subsequent relationship and she hadn’t been coping.

“She reverted to drinking excessive amounts of alcohol as a means of dealing with the difficulties she was in.

“In September, she had been referred to Ninewells and attended a week’s detoxification in the hospital. She had only just been released from that and returned to her home address.”

She had been sitting in the house and consuming alcohol, notwithstanding the considerable amount of medication she was receiving.

She wished to apologise for her behaviour in the hospital and had abstained from alcohol for the past four months.

“She’s taken part in a further detox. course in Murray Royal and that was successfully completed in December.”

Aiton, who has a previous conviction for a drink-related driving offence from 2004, was allowed six months to complete the unpaid work.