Driver in Scrabster was twice drink-drive limit

A tip-off prompted police to locate and stop Pamela Miller, who failed a roadside breath test.

A follow-up test revealed she was twice the legal drink-driving limit, Wick Sheriff Court heard on Tuesday.

Miller (49) smelled of alcohol and her speech was slurred when she was stopped in Castlegreen Road, Thurso, last month. A subsequent test produced a reading of 47mcg – the legal limit is 22mcg.

Solicitor Fiona MacDonald said that Miller, of Castle Gardens, Barrock Street, Thurso, had gone for a drink after work in Scrabster, on December 13 – the anniversary of her late husband’s death.

The accused was fined £500 and banned for a year by Sheriff Neil Wilson, who observed that Miller had another, similar case pending.

Miller has yet to plead to charges of driving carelessly and with excess alcohol.

These allege that she failed to maintain adequate control of her car and allowed it to enter an opposing lane and collide with another vehicle.

The incidents are said to have occurred at the Northlink Ferry Terminal, Scrabster, on August 17.

Miller was said to have “no underlying issue with alcohol.”