Drink driver is nabbed

A drink driver was caught over the limit after leaving a Livingston nightclub.

Shelley Taylor (31) of Lychgate Lane, Broxburn, admitted to being over twice the legal limit when she was stopped by police outside EQHQ at 4.20am on September 26 last year.

She pled guilty to giving a reading of 53 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath - nearly two and a half times the legal limit of 22 microgrammes - and appeared at Livingston Sheriff Court for sentencing last Thursday.

The court heard officers on mobile patrol followed Taylor in her silver Mercedes as she left the club and drove north on the A899.

They stopped her car at Uphall because they were concerned about the manner of her driving.

Fiscal depute Rebecca Swansey said: “Police alighted from their marked vehicle and spoke to the driver. Officers immediately smelled a strong smell of alcohol on the accused’s breath.

“A roadside breath specimen proved positive and she was conveyed to Falkirk Police Station for a further test which gave the reading shown in the charge.”

Her solicitor, Alan Jackson, admitted that Taylor already had a conviction for drink driving, adding his client had not intended to drink that night.

He said she had since sold the car, adding: “In the reports she accepts her culpability, has taken responsibility and is angry with herself.”

Sheriff Peter Hammond fined Taylor £700 and disqualified her from driving for three years, from February 2 this year.

He added: “It is concerning that you come before the court with a relatively recent conviction for drink driving. In these circumstances I am going to deal with this by way of a financial penalty and disqualify you from driving.”