AN ARDROSSAN woman who was caught nearly four times the drink-drive limit after a crash in the town has thanked a judge after being punished.

Anne Marie Sneddon smashed into a neighbour’s car in Chapelhill Mount on May 11.

The 24-year-old supplied a breath sample with a reading of 87 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath after the incident.

The legal limit in Scotland is 22 microgrammes.

Kilmarnock Sheriff Court heard Sneddon had apologised to police after the incident – and expressed her gratitude to the sheriff who handed her the minimum 12-month ban.

Procurator fiscal depute Jade Podlesny said: "The witnesses, mother and son, were in the vicinity of Chapelhill Mount, where both resided at their home address.

"At 1.20pm, both were in their home, in separate rooms, and heard a loud bang.

“They observed a motor vehicle attempting to drive into a parking space near the mother's motor vehicle.

"The accused was then observed exiting the driver’s side and making her way to the passenger side.

"The witness approached the accused and said: "You f***ing hit my car".

"The accused denied this but she could smell alcohol on her breath.

“Through her demeanour she reached the conclusion she was intoxicated and had damaged rear side of her vehicle.

"Police were contacted. Officers arrived and observed the accused parked outside.

“They spoke to the accused who proved a positive test result.

"She was arrested and stated 'yes, 100 per cent, I hate myself, I'm so sorry, it was me'.

"She was cautioned and charged and made no reply. She was taken to custody until she sobered up."

Sneddon’s defence solicitor said: "She is 24 and presently unemployed. She has been driving since 2019 and has no previous endorsements, and there is nothing analogous on her record.

"I'm advised she had been drinking at a friend's in close proximity to her own home and made the stupid decision to move her car, something she very much now regrets.

"She appreciates the reading is a high one. She would be willing to undertake the drink driver rehabilitation course."

Sheriff Murdoch MacTaggart told Sneddon: “I'm required to disqualify you, given the high reading, but as you pleaded guilty, I will keep it to the statutory minimum."

In addition to the year-long ban, Sneddon was handed a fine of £500, reduced from £750 because of her guilty plea.

As she left the dock, Sneddon said: “Thank you very much, your lordship.”