A Fife nurse who drove at nearly six times the alcohol limit as she took a child to a football game has dodged jail.
Debbie Greig, a specialist nurse, turned up at the seven-a-side kids’ friendly match in Rosyth smelling of alcohol.
She was later driven home by an off-duty police officer who was a coach of the opposing team.
The 40-year-old had claimed during a trial she went shopping before attending the football match and bought a bottle of vodka, which she drank in a toilet at the clubhouse after arriving at the game.
Sheriff David Hall did not believe Greig and found her guilty of driving a car while under the influence of alcohol.
It was later revealed she had been under the influence during the trial.
She appeared for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.
‘Whooping’ on the sidelines
A trial last month heard Greig arrived late for a children’s football match at Rosyth’s Fleet Grounds and was accused by parents of being disrespectful when she began “whooping” when the child she arrived with scored a goal, despite their team being well ahead.
Police were called by concerned parents, who said they could also smell alcohol on her breath as she walked past them on the sidelines.
One parent supporting the same team told the trial she tried speaking to Greig because she was “making a scene”.
She said Greig started commenting on her weight and became argumentative.
Greig was also said to have driven her Nissan Duke into a small rock or log as she parked at the ground on the evening of February 26 2020.
After the game Greig was taken home by off-duty police officer and coach of the opposing team, Keith Dickson.
He had concerns about her level of intoxication and the chance she would drive with the boy again.
Two police officers met Greig and Mr Dickson about ten minutes later, when they arrived outside her home.
She later returned a breath alcohol reading at the police station of 127mics/22 – nearly six times above the legal limit.
Later offence
During her sentencing hearing, Greig admitted a separate drink driving offence which happened seven months later, of driving while more than five times the limit on the M8, M9 and M90 Queensferry Crossing roads.
Procurator fiscal depute Sean Maher told the court other motorists saw her grey Nissan “weaving” over the lanes on approach to a junction between the M8 and M9 eastbound, with some drivers sounding their horns.
The fiscal depute said police later traced the vehicle to Greig’s home in Dunfermline’s Cadell Reach.
She said: “They discovered the exhaust still warm and the vehicle unlocked and no-one within.
“However, they saw the front door open and the keys to be on the outside of the door.
“Contact was made with the registered keeper (Greig).
“Her speech was slurred, eyes glazed and she appeared to be drunk.”
Greig admitted driving on the M8, M9 and M90 Queensferry Crossing to her Dunfermline home having consumed so much alcohol that the proportion in her breath was 114 mics/22.
This incident took place during the afternoon of October 9, 2020.
‘Drunk’ during trial
Defence lawyer Elaine Buist said there has been a “complete sea change” since her client’s trial in mid-April, particularly as she had spoken to a GP who said her liver function is “dangerously high” due to alcohol abuse.
Ms Buist said her client had been in denial until this point and has now engaged with a local alcohol support service and has cut down her drinking and “feels like a new person.”
The solicitor also said her client also accepts that during the course of her trial she was “somewhat under the influence of alcohol”.
She said Greig is “extremely ashamed” of the whole episode, having had alcohol in her system from the night before.
‘Extremely serious’
Sheriff Hall had remanded Greig in custody overnight from Thursday to Friday to consider her lawyer’s plea in mitigation before delivering his sentence.
He told Greig: “These are extremely serious matters.
“I’m glad to hear from Ms Buist and you appear finally to be getting your act together and finally seeking help.
“Clearly, the result of your liver test would have been a big shock but it does illustrate to you the dangers which can be caused by excessive drinking.”
The sheriff banned Greig from driving for a total of six years and ordered her to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work within two years.
She was also placed on a restriction of liberty order to stay at home between 9pm and 7am daily for the next seven months.
The sheriff added: “If you carry this out successfully that is the end of the matter but if you breach it, it (the order) can be revoked.”
Sheriff Hall stressed these sentences were imposed as direct alternatives to custody.
Greig was also fined £200 for failing to appear at a court date in November 2020.
