Drink-driver has dodged prison

A Doune woman caught drink driving twice in the space of one month has avoided custody for the time being.

Lauren Fraser, 28, was behind the wheel on George Street, Dunblane, while almost four times the limit – with 85 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath – on September 25.

She was then found to be driving on the A811 between Back O’ Hill roundabout and King’s Garden roundabout, with 80 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath, on October 22.

Fraser, of North Lea, Doune, appeared at Stirling Sheriff Court for sentencing on Wednesday morning and defence solicitor Ken Dalling spoke about the impact the court proceedings have had on her.

He said: “This whole process has been frightening for Ms Fraser. She is seeking to address her problems.

“She is unsuitable for supervision but I would recommend a community payback order with supervision, and an extended period of disqualification.

“She is looking to pull herself out of the hole she finds herself in and is making use of the help available.”

Sheriff William Gilchrist replied: “Given the fact there are two convictions, the court has to consider custody. Any appropriate alternative would have to involve unpaid work. Supervision alone would not be suitable.”

Making reference to Fraser’s “limited offending history”, Sheriff Gilchrist was willing to deal with one of the cases by way of an alternative to custody while deferring sentence on the other.

She was placed under supervision for a period of 12 months and disqualified from driving for three years in relation to the offence on October 22. Sentence was deferred for reports on the first matter, which took place one month earlier.

Sheriff Gilchrist added: “You should engage with the order and the alcohol counselling. The only reason you’re not getting unpaid work is you need to engage with the alcohol counselling. If you don’t engage and are found to be unsuitable for unpaid work the court may have no option but to impose custody.”