An Angus businesswoman has been handed a four-figure fine and had her car seized by the courts after admitting her third drink-drive-related offence.
Anna Palfreyman was also heavily criticised by a sheriff for attempting to “minimise” the seriousness of the matter in a criminal justice report prepared for sentencing at Forfar.
Palfreyman, 68, of Conil Place in Letham appeared before Sheriff Gregor Murray at Forfar having previously admitted failing to provide two specimens of breath at police headquarters in West Bell Street, Dundee to ascertain her ability to drive a car in the Angus village on May 11.
Defence solicitor Ian Flynn said he had been “slightly perplexed” by a suggestion that Palfreyman, who operates the Hamelt tea room in Letham, might be made the subject of an electronic tag.
The Crown previously made a motion for seizure of the accused’s vehicle and the solicitor told the court: “Having discussed the matter she would not oppose that, which would obviously come at a financial cost.”
He said the car was a Nissan Note worth around £2,000.
Mr Flynn added: “That would be quite a financial loss, but she also has the ability to pay a four-figure fine if the court was minded to impose a financial penalty in this matter.”
Sheriff Murray told Palfreyman: “This is your third conviction for a drink-driving related offence.
“The court sees many people in your situation whose issues with alcohol only come to the fore when they are caught for matters such as drink-driving.
“It is clear that you sought to minimise things – that you regard drink related matters as a minor concern.
“I must tell you that the courts treat matters of drink-driving as a major concern.”
Sheriff Murray continued: “I agree that a Restriction of Liberty Order is entirely inappropriate.
“It is only by virtue of the fact that you have your own business and you employ people that I will impose a financial penalty.
“However, if you appear again on a drink-driving offence it is almost inevitable that you are going to go straight to jail.”
He fined Palfreyman £1,600, ordered forfeiture of the vehicle and banned her from driving for 29 months.
