Granny too drunk to notice a tyre missing from her car

A grandmother who was caught driving around drunk with just three tyres on her car has been banned from the road for two years.

Jennette Hindley was so drunk she was oblivious to the missing tyre as she set off on a 25-mile trip home from a night out in Perth.

The 63-year-old, reported for driving “all over the road”, was stopped and found to be nearly four times over the alcohol limit.

Admin worker Hindley was banned at Perth Sheriff Court yesterday and fined £800 by Sheriff Neil Bowie after she admitted the offence.

Hindley, of Oakfield Street, Kelty, admitted driving her Mazda 2 under the influence of alcohol in Riggs Road, Perth, on October 31 last year. Her reading was 79 mics, with the legal limit 22 mics.

Fiscal depute Sarah Wilkinson told the court: “At 7.50pm an anonymous call was received about a silver car driving all over the road in Perth city centre.

“Police traced the vehicle. It was noticed to be missing a nearside front tyre and had been running on the alloy wheel for some time.

“The driver of the vehicle was stopped and it was noted she was smelling strongly of stale alcohol. She stated there was a problem with her car.

“She was required to provide a sample and this returned a positive result. She was conveyed to police HQ.

“When she was told she failed the drink drive test, she replied ‘that’s what the machine says’.”

Solicitor David Holmes, defending, said: “This lady is extremely sorry for her actions on the night in question. She instructed us immediately to plead guilty and apologise.

“She is very embarrassed. This is someone who is a grandmother and works in administration. This is very much an isolated event.

“On this night an event took place which caused her to be in a position where she wanted to return home. She lost her phone and was unable to call a taxi.

“A vehicle was available to her and she drove. Regrettably she was over the limit when doing so. She has been determined to appear in court and accept her responsibility.

“She is at pains to say this will never happen again. Disqualification will have an impact on her capacity to get to and from work. She appreciates that is due to her own folly.

“This is very much an isolated incident which arises from a difficulty that evening.”

Sheriff Bowie said: “She was heading home and her address is Kelty.

“It is a very high reading and that is a matter of some note.

“The fact it is a high reading is perhaps demonstrated by the fact she didn’t seem to be aware a tyre was missing, or if she was aware she continued to drive on it anyway.”

He told Hindley: “You clearly had taken a considerable amount of alcohol, given the reading taken by police.

“When you were stopped I’m told your car was missing a tyre in Perth city centre.

“I can only conclude that due to your state of intoxication that you were unaware it was in that state. In that state you chose to continue driving.”

The court was told that Hindley was not charged with dangerous driving.

Jennette Hindley was nearly four times over limit.