A Lithuanian woman who was “confused” about how early in the morning it was has been banned from the roads for driving while more than three times the blood alcohol limit.
Fraserburgh resident Virginija Macioniene, 38, was stopped by police officers in the early hours of yesterday morning after she was seen driving erratically in the town’s Cross Street.
Appearing with an interpreter at Peterhead Sheriff Court later the same day, Macioniene admitted a charge of driving while under the influence of alcohol.
The court heard the meat factory worker had been drinking with friends at a house in Fraserburgh on Sunday evening and chose to stay over rather than drive home while drunk.
However, as defence agent Stuart Flowerdew explained, Macioniene drove home earlier than intended.
Mr Flowerdew said: “During the course of Sunday evening the accused had been drinking with friends.
“She had taken her vehicle to the property but the intention was to leave the vehicle and sleep there.
“She did this and believes she was asleep for four hours. However she woke in the early hours and was confused about how long she had been asleep.
“Under the influence of alcohol, she had driven much earlier than intended.”
Mr Flowerdew said Macioniene’s decision to drive had been “poor” and added: “She had a poor understanding of how alcohol makes its way through the body.”
When she was stopped and breathalysed by officers at 2.15am, Macioniene, of 125 St Andrews Drive, Fraserburgh, was found to have 112 microgrammes of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35 microgrammes.
Due to the high reading, fiscal David Bernard suggested to Sheriff Andrew Miller that Macioniene should forfeit her car however his request was turned down.
Mr Flowerdew told the court that the car, estimated to be worth £1,000, was the only thing of significant value owned by Macioniene that could be sold to support her 13-year-old son.
Sheriff Miller revoked the Lithuanian’s licence with immediate effect but deferred sentencing for social workers to prepare a report.
He said: “Given the very high reading I’m going to adjourn this case for sentencing and ask for a Criminal Justice Social Work report so I have more information about your personal circumstances.”
Macioniene will return to court on Monday, October 20.