A LOCHGELLY woman stopped on the A92 and was seen staggering about, chasing a dog and falling down at the side of the road.

Christine Beveridge later blamed medication she had bought on the internet for being unfit to drive.

She tried to drive home but was stopped by police in Cowdenbeath.

Beveridge, 66, of Union Street, appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

She admitted that on February 1 last year, in Arthur Street, Cowdenbeath, she drove a car when unfit to do so through drink or drugs.

Depute fiscal Zahra Bhatti said police received a report from a member of the public about a black Nissan vehicle being stopped at the side of the road on the A92.

She went on: “The report was that a woman got out of the car and was staggering about. She had then fallen on the grass. She was chasing after a dog which had jumped back into the car.”

The woman had then got back into her car and started driving again.

The witness had followed her and the woman’s driving was described as being out of control.

Defence solicitor Aime Allan said her client had been on medication which she had ordered online.

It was her client’s position that it was this medication which rendered her unfit to drive.

The solicitor continued: “She started feeling unwell during the journey and pulled over.

“She then started feeling a bit better and decided to drive home. She thought she would be okay to make it home and had her dog with her.

“She’s no longer seeking help from online GPs. She’s gone back to her own GP.”

Sheriff Andrew Berry said that given Beveridge’s previous convictions for similar offences, he would have to act to protect the public.

He banned Beveridge from driving for three years and until she passes the extended test. He also imposed a community payback order with 75 hours of unpaid work.