A senior teacher at a top independent school failed to stop after two crashes and refused to let police breathalyse her, saying: “I believe I have reasonable excuse.”
Dana Cooper, junior years head at Kilgraston, collapsed in front of officers when she stepped out of her Volvo after reversing it into a lamp post.
Earlier that evening, she had smashed into a parked car before being spotted by a neighbour driving out of the street.
The 46-year-old appeared at Perth Sheriff Court and admitted failing to stop and leave her details after collisions in Dunning and Bertha Park, Perth on December 15.
Cooper, of Strathallan Park, Forgandenny, also pled guilty to failing to provide a breath specimen and not complying with a preliminary test.
Loud bang
Fiscal depute Sarah Wilkinson told the court: “At 9.15pm, witnesses at Station Road, Dunning, were at their homes when they heard a loud bang outside.
“One male looked out of his window but did not see any damage to his vehicle and thought no more of it.
“A witness in another house looked out and observed a Volvo swerving on the road, heading out of the village.
“He went outside to check all was in order.
“He saw extensive damage to the front of her neighbour’s vehicle and went to inform him.”
Police were called to the scene.
Lamp post collision
“Later, the Volvo was recorded on private CCTV at Bertha Park,” the fiscal depute said.
“It was seen travelling towards a dead end.
“The vehicle reversed backwards down Augustus Way at speed and struck a lamp post.
“It then continued to reverse down the street, before disappearing out of sight.”
Ms Wilkinson said: “Just after 10pm, police officers in Bertha Park spotted the accused within her vehicle.
“They noticed the car had extensive damage to its front, near-side.”
Left car and fell over
The fiscal said: “As constables approached, the accused exited the driver’s side and fell to the ground.
“She appeared intoxicated and smelled strongly of alcohol.”
Cooper had suffered a visible cut to the underside of her chin, the court heard.
“She was engaging with officers and apologising repeatedly,” said Ms Wilkinson.
However, she refused to be breathalysed.
“She was arrested and conveyed to police headquarters.
“Just before midnight, she was requested to provide a sample as part of the drink-driving procedure.
“She refused, stating she wanted to see a doctor.”
‘Reasonable excuse’
Cooper told police: “I believe I have reasonable excuse.”
She then added: “I want to see a doctor and a lawyer.”
Cooper was checked by a nurse before being taken to the emergency department at Ninewells to have her cut treated with stitches.
Sheriff William Wood deferred sentence until next month for background reports.
“I am very concerned about the persistence of this conduct,” he said.
“Damage was caused not once, but twice.
“This seems to be quite a serious matter.”
A solicitor for Cooper said she had struck her head during the first collision and suffered concussion.
