Social workers suggested jailing a 63-year-old drink-driver, who lived alone without electricity or running water, so she could get access to food and warmth.
The recommended action against Julie McNee, who drove to the shops for cat food while nearly five times the legal limit, was described by a Perth sheriff as “rather surprising”.
McNee, from Glendevon, admitted the offence when she appeared at Perth Sheriff Court in November.
It was not her first drink-drive conviction. In 2012, she was stopped by police while driving through Auchterarder reeking of booze and wearing a party hat.
The case was continued for background reports and assessments.
Returning to the dock for sentencing, she was told social workers had proposed she be locked up.
Sheriff Grant McCulloch told McNee’s solicitor Linda Clark: “I did find it quite surprising that the report suggests jail so that she can get food and warmth.
“In society, individuals should be getting food and warmth within their communities.
“There really must be something else we can do for Ms McNee.”
Cat food run
McNee admitted driving a Suzuki Grand Vitara on the A823 Yetts O’Muchart to Gleneagles road, with 105 mics of alcohol in her system.
The court heard she had been drinking the night before, and handed stopped until about 5am.
That afternoon, she drove to the supermarket to buy cat food.
She was pulled over by police when they spotted her swerving across the carriageway.
McNee failed a roadside breath test.
Ms Clark, defending, said: “Various reports for Ms McNee make for very depressing reading.
“She has been living in a house with no running water or electricity.
“She is now living with her parents.”
Ms Clark added: “This was a crime of stupidity, rather than of badness.
“She has been living in isolation and I would ask the court to draw a line under this today.”
‘Tragic’
Sheriff McCulloch told McNee: “You drove when you shouldn’t have driven.
“Your circumstances are tragic and the court has tried to deal with this, but without much success.
“I note that you have moved in with your parents and things are now better than they were.”
McNee, of Glendevon House, was banned from driving for three years. She must also wear an electronic tag and stay home between 8pm and 6am for 50 days, as part of a Restriction of Liberty Order.
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