A CROMBIE drink-driver was caught a staggering EIGHT times over the limit just six months after being found slumped in her car with an unfinished bottle of vodka.

Irene Watt or Hopkins, 52, was caught at Halbeath Retail Park in January, just half a year after being found incoherent and more than four times over the limit.

On that occasion, she was so intoxicated, she had to be carried out of her car. However, while awaiting trial, she committed the second offence.

Hopkins, of 25 Ordnance Road, admitted that on June 17 last year at Farm Road, she drove after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion of it in her breath was 95 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 22mcg.

She further admitted that on January 22 this year at Halbeath Retail Park, she drove having consumed excess alcohol. Her reading was 175mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

Fiscal depute Gary McMullan said police had been called out to Farm Road at 3.45pm in the June 17 incident.

He told Dunfermline Sheriff Court last Wednesday: “The accused's car was seen stationary on the road. 

“At the side of the car, two females handed over a set of keys which they had taken out of the ignition.

“The accused was sitting in the driver's seat with the seatbelt still on. She was slumped over and it was apparent she had been sick in the car.

“She was incoherent and was unable to sit up by herself. It was clear that she was under the influence of alcohol.

“There was a Co-operative bag in the passenger seat with an unfinished bottle of vodka. Due to the level of intoxication, an ambulance was requested. 

“It was evident that the accused would be unable to provide a sample of breath. She had to be lifted out and carried to the ambulance.”

Hopkins was arrested at 4.50pm and taken to Dunfermline police station, where she registered the 95mcg reading.

She was caught again on January 22, after a witness became concerned about her driving at Halbeath Retail Park.

Police officers arrived around 5.25pm and found Hopkins in the driver's seat. A bottle of rum, with some quantity missing, was also discovered in her car.

Hopkins' speech was slurred and officers could smell alcohol. She made three attempts to provide a breath specimen and was taken to Dunfermline police station.

Solicitor Ian Beatson said Hopkins, a former part-time cleaner, had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder at the time of the first offence.

He added that she also had financial difficulties and depression, which caused her to drink.

Of the second offence, Mr Beatson said: “She had gone out with the intention of getting alcohol to drink at home. Perhaps the temptation was such that she drank again.”

However, he said Hopkins had had a “wake-up call” earlier this month, after being found having a seizure by her children, following a two-day bender before Mothering Sunday.

Mr Beatson continued: “She might have been in a very different state had it not come to their attention.”

Sheriff Eric Brown imposed a community payback order of 300 hours' unpaid work to be completed within 18 months and three years' supervision. Hopkins was also disqualified from driving for four years.