A police officer’s career is "almost certainly" over after she was caught drink-driving in Lochgelly when nearly five times over the limit.

Long-serving officer Louise Moffat, 41, appeared for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

Her address was given only as the Police Scotland office at Fettes Avenue, Edinburgh.

She admitted that on June 4 on the B9149 between the A92 Lochgelly slip road and Muir Road, she drove a car having consumed excess alcohol. Her reading was 105 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, the limit being 22 microgrammes.

Depute fiscal Brogan Moffat said police officers on patrol had seen Moffat’s car being driven erratically at around 11.30pm. The car was being driven slowly and veering about, almost hitting the kerb.

As a car approached, Moffat reduced her speed down to 20mph until the vehicle passed her.

She was stopped and denied to officers that she had been drinking alcohol, but then failed a breath test.

Defence solicitor Michael McKitrick said his client had no previous convictions and had 21 years of police service.

He said it was a “one-off incident” and that his client had been “going through a very difficult time after the break-up of a relationship”. She has also been suffering from work-related stress after a recent promotion to inspector.

He went on: “She is ashamed and deeply regrets her decision to drive. She will almost certainly lose her job for this.”

Sheriff Craig McSherry fined Moffat £1575 and banned her from driving for 16 months.

Police Scotland said it was aware of the outcome in court, and the circumstances would be considered by its Professional Standards department.