Ullapool-based charity worker's 'very serious error of judgment' lands driving ban and puts job in jeopardy, Highland court told

A WESTER ROSS woman employed by a national charity in Wester Ross decided to go to her local medical centre after consuming some wine.

But when 56-year-old Mhairi Macdonald swerved to avoid a pothole in Ullapool, it attracted the attention of a nearby police patrol car, Inverness Sheriff Court was told.

The officers then activated their blue lights but Macdonald of Vyner Place, Ullapool didn't appear to notice and turned right into the medical centre car park, fiscal depute Karen Poke told Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald.

Ms Poke added: "She parked poorly and when the police approached her, she had a mint in her mouth but the officers could smell alcohol in the vehicle. When asked when she last had a drink she said she had consumed a glass of wine 30 minutes beforehand."

Macdonald admitted driving with excess alcohol in the village on June 14 this year. Her reading was 53mcgs of alcohol when the limit is 22mcgs.

Defence solicitor Willie Young said: "She is employed by a national charity and will likely lose her employment. She made a very serious error of judgment. She had been working from home and consumed a relatively small amount of alcohol, then decided to drive to the local medical centre. It was a short distance away.

"The driving in an erratic manner was due to a large pothole in the road and she took evasive action to avoid it."

Macdonald was fined £540 and banned from driving for a year. However she was certified as suitable for a drink drive rehabilitation course which she must fund herself.

If she completes it successfully, it will earn her a three month discount on her disqualification.