A Cowdenbeath woman who smashed into parked vehicles was nearly SEVEN times over the limit.

First time offender Kay Anderson was disqualified for 20 months for drink driving and ordered to do 135 hours of unpaid work.

Dunfermline Sheriff Court heard that the car she drove had been gifted by family members to use while her niece waited to pass her test.

However, Sheriff Charles Macnair could not see any legal reason why forfeiture of the car could not be granted because the vehicle was registered and insured by Anderson.

Anderson, 52, of Meadowfield, previously admitted on August 13 on Farm Road, Cowdenbeath she drove after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion of it in her breath was 143 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. 

Thelegal limit is 22 microgrammes.

Depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf said at around 7pm the accused collided with two stationary vehicles, causing damage to them.

When police attended Anderson was still in the car but the engine was switched off.

It was clear to officers that the accused had been drinking as there was a strong smell of alcohol coming from her.

She tested positive after a road side test and when taken to the station a reading of 143mg was given on a breathalyser.

Defence solicitor Roshni Joshi said: "She has never appeared before court before.

"The car was gifted to her by a family member. The car was meant for her niece who hasn't passed her test and is living away from home.

"The family have expressed concern that forfeiture of the vehicle would deprive Ms Anderson's niece.

"Ms Anderson said it would be unlikely for her to drive again.

"Given the circumstances I would ask that the vehicle is given back to her niece and Ms Anderson would pay for the damage.

"She accepts that she was under the influence of alcohol but clearly there was emotional decision behind that which is explained in reports."

Sheriff Macnair said: "You were driving a vehicle when you had 143mg of alcohol in your system which is almost seven times over the current limit.

"You caused minor damage and it's only perhaps by good fortune that was the only damage you caused.

"This was an extremely high reading, but because of your lack of record I am prepared to deal with this by way of a non-custodial sentence.

"It may be that your family feel that your niece should have the car but that is neither here nor there legally."