By Paul Reoch

A DRUNKEN suicidal motorist whose “atrocious” driving led to her being pursued by the police for nearly 15 miles on rural roads was yesterday disqualified from driving for two and half years and fined £900 at Perth Sheriff Court.

Christina Cameron (45), of Murrayfield Loan, Crieff, had decided to take her own life by driving on the A85 through the village of Comrie— including periods on the wrong side of the road, driving over a blind summit and through a set of temporary traffic lights.

She admitted that on March 6 on the A85 Lochearnhead to Crieff road she drove dangerously by travelling at excessive speeds on the wrong side of the road, mounting kerbs and verges, failing to stop when required to do so by an officer and causing her car to collide with and damage two police vehicles and another car.

She also admitted failing to provide two specimens of breath for analysis at Perth police headquarters.

Depute fiscal Lucy Keane told the court the police had received an anonymous call from a member of the public who had seen Cameron driving “erratically” on the A85.

“Police officers arrived in a marked van and saw her weaving across the roadway,” Ms Keane said. “The officers signalled to her in an attempt to stop her but she continued.”

The court heard how the police put on blue flashing lights and a siren and pursued Cameron—who was travelling at 50mph—for nearly 15 miles.

“The accused drove through the village of Comrie at 50mph and even passed a primary school but fortun- ately there were no children around at this time,” Ms Keane added.

“Police followed her as she continued to weave from side to side.”

Ms Keane told how the police drove on ahead of Cameron in an attempt to warn oncoming motorists—but she actually overtook them.

“Two police cars were positioned on a roadblock bend of the road and the accused did then slow down,” she said.

“Officers tried to force her out of the car but she refused. She then reversed into one of the police cars and then drove off.”

The court heard that shortly after that she lost control of the car when it crashed into a wall and another car, before coming to rest.

Alison McKay, solicitor for Cameron, said her client had a history of epilepsy and depression, and had decided to take her own life.

She said, “My client wanted to kill herself but she realised this was an atrocious piece of driving.

“In hindsight she put not just herself but others in danger.

“She had a very vague recollection of events and just remembered waking up in Perth Royal Infirmary,” the solicitor added.

Sentencing, Sheriff Lindsay Foulis told Cameron, “You had an unblemished record until this incident.

“This is a serious matter, both in the manner of the driving and the distance it took place.”