Drink-driving pensioner destroyed bus stop and ‘catapulted’ man into air

Woman was almost five times the limit when she hit pedestrian

A drunk Perth pensioner who “catapulted” a man into the air after crashing her car through a bus stop and hitting him has been banned from the road.

Linda Cowan, 68, mounted the kerb on the city’s Bute Drive, close to her home on March 28 this year while almost five times over the drink-drive limit.

After careering through a bus stop, which was completely destroyed, she hit 28-year-old Ian Killoh, who was out walking his dog.

Mr Killoh suffered soft tissue and nerve damage as a result of the collision and was taken to Ninewells hospital via ambulance following the incident.

As a result, his beloved black labrador, Diesel ran off and was missing for a number of hours in the North Inch. They were reunited after a social media plea.

Perth Sheriff Court was told Cowan had identified herself as the driver of the vehicle which struck Mr Killoh once police arrived.

Depute fiscal Carol Whyte said: “At around 6.42pm Mr Killoh was walking his dog on Bute Drive.

“Mr Killoh and the driver of another vehicle driving in the opposite direction from the accused saw her car mount the kerb and hit a bus stop, destroying it completely.

“Mr Killoh was also hit, which caused him to be catapulted into the air. The accused stopped the car, police arrived 15 minutes later.

“She identified herself to them as the driver. She provided a positive roadside breath test.

“She then provided another test at the station, which recorded a lower value of 93 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.

“She was cautioned and charged and replied ‘I can’t argue’.”

Defence agent Billy Somerville told the court Cowan had taken a couple of glasses of wine while cooking.

He said: “She is 68 and this is her first time before the court. This is of significant regret to all parties.

“She is very sorry for what she has done.

“The gentleman suffered minor soft tissue damage and from her point of view this is a small blessing.

“On the evening this incident occurred, she was cooking tea and had taken a couple of glasses of wine and she does not normally drink during the week.”

Sentencing Cowan, Sheriff Gillian Wade said: “This is a serious matter and it is unfortunate someone your age is coming before the court.

“This is a first offence but you have now been convicted of a serious road traffic offence.”

Cowan, of Rona Court, admitted driving dangerously and under the influence of alcohol on March 28. She was banned from driving for 32 months and fined £1,500.

She was cooking tea and had taken a couple of glasses of wine and she does not normally drink during the week.

DEFENCE AGENT BILLY SOMERVILLE

Linda Cowan struck Ian Killoh as he walked on Bute Drive with his dog.