An Angus woman who admitted driving after taking a “line of cocaine” has been banned from the road for 18 months.
Alanagh Couttie, 20, of Milton of Guthrie, Arbroath, pled guilty to driving in St Vigeans Brae in Arbroath on February 12 while unfit to do so through drink or drugs.
Forfar Sheriff Court heard the clerical officer had no recollection of driving her car on the Monday morning and that she was taken to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee when traced by police as they were concerned for her wellbeing.
Depute fiscal Bill Kermode told the court a witness had seen a car reversing off the grass at the bottom of his garden before heading in the direction of Letham Grange at 7.45am.
The police were contacted and a car with Couttie’s handbag on the back seat was found near Friockheim cemetery.
He said: “The registered keeper of the car was traced, who identified the accused as the driver.
“She was traced at home in bed. She was unsteady on her feet, was unable to walk unaided, her speech was slurred and her eyes were protruding as if she was under the influence of drink or drugs.
“She gave a zero reading for alcohol, showed no signs of improvement and she was taken by ambulance to Ninewells for medical tests.”
A blood sample showed signs of alprazolam and ketamine.
She was released after treatment that day and when asked by police who had been driving the car replied “It would have been me.”
The court head Couttie had admitted taking a line of cocaine but was unsure whether it was the Saturday evening or early on the Sunday morning prior to her driving on the Monday.
In sentencing Couttie Sheriff Derek Reekie said he was concerned she did not seem to be aware that she had been driving the car.
He noted she had only held a full driving licence since June 2016.
He said: “You are only 20 years old, you have had a licence for less than two years and you have abused that privilege
“You reversed into someone’s garden and when asked if you had been driving you said ‘it would have been you’ .
“This is a serious matter which merits a significant penalty.”
He disqualified Couttie from driving for 18 months, ordered her to re-sit an extended driving test and fined her £600.
