Motherwell woman attempted trip to Nairn - nearly four times over the drink drive limit

Despite her level of intoxication, Gemma Gracie (32) from Motherwell had been planning to drive all the way north to Nairn, but her plans were thwarted when a collision severely damaged her car.

An eagle-eyed off-duty police officer spotted her erratic driving – and the fact she no longer had a front nearside tyre – and brought the matter to the attention of his colleagues with a call to the emergency services.

Just going on shift, the very same officer was then sent out to deal with Gracie, who was standing – inebriated – beside her damaged vehicle.

Gracie appeared at Falkirk Sheriff Court last Thursday having pleaded guilty to drink driving on the M80 near Haggs, Bonnybridge on March 28. She had giving the reading of 86 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

The legal limit is 22 microgrammes.

Procurator fiscal depute Rebecca Reid said: “An off duty police officer was driving in his personal vehicle shifting from lane one to lane two for no apparent reason.

"He saw a white coloured vehicle to be stationary with its hazard lights illuminated.

"He took evasive action and then called 999.

A short time later – now on duty – he attended at the location.

"He then moved the vehicle to the hard shoulder, closing off lane one of the road.

"The car had substantial front end damage and the front nearside tyre was missing.

"The accused was standing on the hard shoulder and appeared lethargic, slurring her words.”

The court heard Gracie had a previous drink driving conviction which dates back to 2010.

Sheriff Derek Livingston said: “You were 86 microgrammes of alcohol over 100 millilitres of breath and you were involved in a collision.

"You were attempting to drive to Nairn at the time, which is a pretty long drive.”

He banned Gracie of the town’s Catherine Street from driving for two years and fined her £540 to be paid of at a rate of £50 per month.