A north-east woman is in danger of losing her job and her home after being convicted of drink-driving.
Ellen Delph, 37, left her car near the railway station in Inverurie last month and took the train to Aberdeen for a night out.
She returned to the town with no intention of getting behind the wheel and met up with a friend and went for more drinks.
As she made her way to her house on Harlaw Road, she realised she had left the keys in the engine and headed back towards the vehicle.
On the way there, she met her sister, who was also drunk, and they got into the car to head home.
As she drove through West High Street, police officers spotted that the vehicle’s lights were not on and pulled her over.
They then noticed Delph’s speech was slurred and she was smelling of alcohol.
She was breathalysed and found to have 87 microgrammes in 100 millilitres of alcohol in her breath. The legal limit is 22.
She confessed to the offence which took place on August 13 during an appearance at Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday.
Representing her, defence agent, Gregor Kelly, revealed the devastating impact which disqualification could have on his client.
He said: “My client has held a driving licence since she was 18 without any blemishes.
“She took the extremely rash decision to drive a short distance.
“She was homeless a year ago, but has recently got a job as surveyor which is five miles away from her home in Oldmeldrum, but also involves site visits.
“She has a child whose father stays in Inverness and provides no help whatsoever.
“She is worried she will end up homeless as she was a year ago if she cannot find further employment.”
Sheriff Morag McClaughlin disqualified Delph for 15 months, which could be reduced to 11 if she completes the drink-drivers rehabilitation scheme, and also fined her £500.
