Drink-drive teen banned for 16 months

Published on 10/07/2012 11:05

A TEENAGER spent a night behind bars after being caught drink-driving at T in the Park.

Edinburgh University podiatry student Deanna Hughes was caught at the wheel as she tried to collect camping equipment at the music festival.

Hughes was banned from driving for 16 months yesterday after she appeared from custody to admit being more than double the legal alcohol limit.

She was also fined £200 when she admitted drink-driving on the Balado to Dalquiech B918 on Sunday – less than four months after passing her driving test.

Perth Sheriff Court was told that Hughes, of Brunton Place, Edinburgh, was caught at 6.30pm by officers patrolling roads around the festival site.

Fiscal depute Carol Whyte told the court: “Officers were patrolling the road ensuring the smooth flow of traffic for drivers attending T in the Park.

“They stopped the vehicle and smelled alcohol on the accused’s breath. She gave a positive roadside breath sample and was taken to police HQ in Perth.”

Solicitor Cliff Culley, defending, said: “She is at university, taking a course in podiatry, and works part-time as a waitress in Musselburgh.

“She was at T in the Park and wasn’t intent on driving, but was asked to get camping equipment from the car. She was in the car park area when she was stopped.

“Disqualification will have a significant impact on her visiting her family home in Ayrshire.”

Sheriff Ian Anderson said: “It was a relatively high reading in the circumstances.”