A woman who was almost six times the drink-drive limit in her second similar offence within three years has avoided going to jail.
Katerina Matesa lost control of her car in Forfar’s Queenswell Road on November 17, narrowly missing a pedestrian after mounting the kerb and then crashing into another vehicle.
At Forfar Sheriff Court, the 50-year-old pled guilty to careless driving and driving with excess alcohol after giving a breath reading of 126 microgrammes, nearly six times the legal limit of 22.
Sheriff Gregor Murray told Matesa, of Kemsley Park, Forfar, he had been unhappy with her explanation to social workers who compiled a background report ahead of the case.
“This is your second offence in three years in relation to driving with alcohol,” he said.
“I read the report and I don’t believe what you say about your own alcohol intake.
“I don’t believe you when you say that someone shouldn’t drive with even a sip of alcohol.
“Your own actions show that this is not the case.
“I could easily send you to jail because it is your second offence and it is a very, very high reading.
“However, you have a very limited record and there is a direct alternative to a custodial sentence.
“I will order you to undertake 200 hours unpaid work, the maximum number [of hours] I can impose.”
Matesa was also banned from driving for 32 months.
Sheriff Murray added: “I make it clear that if there is any sign of you going near a car or offending with alcohol, you will be going to jail.”
