A retired Tayside solicitor, who took the blame in a bid to save his wife from a drink-driving rap, has been spared a jail sentence.
Moira Pope drove home from a restaurant after, according to a witness, drinking two bottles of wine. But a court heardthat her husband Christopher told police he was behind the wheel.
The 65-year-old was placed on a three-month restriction of liberty order, while Moira Pope, 66, was fined and banned from driving at Dundee Sheriff Court on Wednesday.
Christopher Pope, of Brechin Road, Arbroath, was judged to have lied to officers when asked who was driving his wife Moira’s car from the Cambustay in Barnhill, Dundee, last March.
Sheriff Alastair Brown rejected Pope’s story and he was found guilty of attempting to pervert the course of justice. Pope’s wife Moira, of Malcolm Crescent, Monifieth, was found guilty of driving a vehicle while unfit through drink.
Both had denied the charges against them.
A trial at Dundee Sheriff Court had heard the couple had gone for a meal with friends at the Cambustay on March 27 last year. They arrived there at about 6.30pm, leaving at about 10pm.
Christopher Pope’s solicitor, John Hall, told the court his client was a retired solicitor, who had practised for many years.
He said: “Most people have fond memories of working alongside Mr Pope and will often recount a tale of their representation at his side.
“But it is now likely he will be remembered as the solicitor who was found guilty of perverting the course of justice a course of justice which he was part of for many years.”
Addressing Christopher Pope, Sheriff Alastair Brown said: “I am conscious that the very fact of this conviction is in itself particularly significant for you, Mr Pope.
“Attempting to pervert the course of justice is always serious and will often attract a prison sentence.
“In your case, I can step away from that.”
Christopher Pope was given a restriction of liberty order between the hours of 7pm and 7am. In the case of Moira Pope, Sheriff Brown imposed a fine of £500 and she was banned from driving for 12 months.