Elgin drink driver caught after motorist followed her across town

A woman was arrested for drink driving after another motorist followed her across Elgin.

As Margaret Murray headed down Reiket Lane shortly after midnight on February 7, her car mounted the roundabout island near the A96.

A concerned witness in a vehicle behind then saw her repeatedly swerve across the road as she made her way through the town.

Procurator fiscal Victoria Silver told Elgin Sheriff Court that, at one point, Murray slammed on her brakes for no reason.

The 53-year-old defendant was also said to have slowed to less than 10mph.

Murray was confronted on Seafield Street by the police who had been phoned by the other driver.

The defendant was described as slurring her words and being “very emotional”.

Speaking to the officers, Murray repeatedly told them: “I just want to go home to bed.”

The police took her to the nearby station where they tried to administer a breath test.

The court heard that Murray’s first reading was 111 – more than five times the legal limit of 22.

However she then failed to provide the required second specimen of breath.

Elgin Sheriff Court was told that, after several unsuccessful attempts, the police came to the conclusion Murray was not trying hard enough.

It was also stated that this was her second conviction for drink driving within the past two years.

Defence lawyer Megan Lee said Murray had “not troubled the court” for the first 51 years of her life, but had turned to alcohol in an attempt to cope with the deaths of close family members.

It was added that she no longer owns a car.

Murray, of Abbey Street, Elgin, pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to provide a specimen of breath.

As this was her second drink driving offence, she was banned from the roads for 40 months and ordered to carry out 160 hours of unpaid work for the community.

In addition she was placed under the court’s supervision for the next 18 months to receive bereavement counselling as well as help with her alcohol problem.

Sheriff David Harvie said: “I urge you to seek to address the underlying issues that have caused you to be here in court.”