A woman has been banned from the road after refusing to provide a breath sample to police who suspected her of drink-driving.
Morag Trail came to police attention after a member of the public spotted her getting out of her car on Northburn Avenue, Aberdeen, and was concerned about her demeanour.
The 51-year-old was traced by police at her home and found to be unsteady on her feet.
She failed an initial roadside breath test, but then refused to provide further samples at the police station.
Fiscal depute Lewis Devoy told Aberdeen Sheriff Court: “At 10am on July 23 last year, a pedestrian was walking at the locus when she observed the accused to park and remove herself from the vehicle.
‘History of problematic drinking’
“Due to the manner of the accused’s demeanour, the witness contacted the police.”
Officers attended and traced Trail within her home address.
They noted her to be “unsteady on her feet” and could smell alcohol.
Trail then failed a roadside breath test and was arrested and taken to Kittybrewster station.
Mr Devoy said: “At this time, the accused failed to provide a specimen of breath for analysis.”
‘She can’t provide any reasonable explanation nor excuse’
Trail, of Westray Road, Aberdeen, pled guilty to failing to provide specimens of breath without reasonable excuse.
Defence agent Ian Woodward-Nutt said his client was married but recently separated.
He added: “She accepts she has a history of problematic drinking.
“She complied with the requirement to provide a roadside breath specimen.
“She can’t provide any reasonable explanation nor excuse for thereafter failing to provide specimens of breath as were required at the police station.”
Trail also has a previous conviction for failing to provide breath samples from nine years ago.
Sheriff Lesley Johnston handed her 80 hours of unpaid work and disqualified her from driving for three years.
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