News / Drink driver says she’s unfit to drive
A SHETLAND woman who said she could not remember being at the wheel of her car when she was arrested for drink driving last month has been banned for two years after admitting drink driving at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday.
Tracey Birrell had rolled her car down a small embankment at the Hamarsgarth housing estate, near her house at 48 Leaside, Mossbank, just before midnight on 10 September.
The 37 year old mother of two woke a neighbour when she revved the engine trying to drive the car back on to the road.
The neighbour called the police who found her slumped across the front seat of her car. When they breathalysed her she was more than twice the legal limit for drink driving.
Birrell told the court she did not think she was medically fit to drive because she suffers from fits and blackouts due to a medical condition, but the authorities had not taken her licence away despite her requests.
When Sheriff Graeme Napier asked her why she had been driving that night, she replied: “I don’t even remember driving.”
The sheriff fined her £500 saying the figure had been reduced due to her “straitened financial circumstances”. He also disqualified her for two years, telling her she would have to resit her test before she could get her licence back.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.
Already a supporter? Sign in to hide this message.
