Drink-driver jailed after knocking man onto car bonnet in Denny street

Amanda McBrearty, whose address was given as HMYOI Polmont, appeared from custody via video link at Falkirk Sheriff Court last Thursday.

She had pleaded guilty in December to what was her fourth lot of drink-driving offences.

The 47-year-old admitted driving without insurance and getting behind the wheel while banned from doing so in Stirling Street, Denny and elsewhere on December 8, 2020.

McBrearty pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle towards and deliberately ignoring a man who stood in front of her car while the traffic lights were red and asked her to stop her vehicle.

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She then repeatedly revved her vehicle and drove forward, causing the man to be pushed onto the bonnet, and thereafter drove whilst the witness was on the car, causing him to be thrown into the opposite carriageway.

McBrearty also admitted being over the legal drink-drive limit in Glebe Street, Denny that day – after consuming so much alcohol the proportion in her breath was 48 microgrammes in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the 22mcg limit.

Footage capturing the incident involving the witness was shown in court.

Defence solicitor William McIntyre told Sheriff Hamilton his client has “mental health and drink problems”.

Mr McIntyre said: “She does recognise her guilt.

“She appeared at this court in December and was fully committed on December 16.

“There’s no excuse but she was going to the pharmacy for medication.”

The lawyer explained McBrearty had been in an “extremely abusive relationship” and suffered serious injuries as a result.

He continued: “She has been a very nervous and stressful individual since.

“She appreciates she shouldn’t have been driving her car in these circumstances.

“One of the people who didn’t want her to drive away, I understand, was involved in a major accident.

“It looked like the witness was deliberately putting himself on the car. There are better ways to do that.

“One is taking the registration and reporting it to the police, rather than putting yourself on the car and banging on the windows.

“She’s deeply apologetic. There’s a job in a hairdresser’s for her when she's released.

“It’s really a question of whether prison is absolutely necessary. She’s been in prison since December 9.”

The court was told McBrearty’s first experience of imprisonment had had an impact on her “already very fragile mental health.”

Addressing her, Sheriff Derek Hamilton said: “What’s significant here is this is your fourth conviction for drink-driving offences.

“The last one was in September when you were made subject to a restriction of liberty order.

“Three months later, you were driving with no insurance, while disqualified and under the influence.

“Given it’s the fourth time, there's no alternative but to impose custody.”

McBrearty was jailed for eight months, backdated to December 9.

She was also disqualified from driving for 39 months and must sit an extended test if she wishes to get behind the wheel again.

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