A SPATE of drink-driving cases were heard before a sheriff this week, alleging some Clacks’ motorists were getting behind the wheel well beyond the legal limit.

In Scotland, the threshold was reduced from 50 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 ml of breath to 22 last December, but there are still a high number of drivers caught while under the influence.

Five drink-driving cases were called at Alloa Sheriff Court on Monday (26 October) with one woman accused of almost crashing into a bus while more than five times the current limit.

A Stirling man has been disqualified after he was found to have been driving along Tullibody Road, Alloa, at almost four times’ the limit.

David Cantwell (30) was pulled over on 16 July and he was later discovered to have a reading of 82 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 ml of breath, over the 22mcg limit.

The 30-year-old tendered a plea of guilty to the charge on Monday, with a not guilty plea to a charge of driving without insurance accepted by the Crown.

Sheriff Christopher Shead was told that Cantwell, of Forth Street, also had “relevant previous convictions” on his record. Social work reports were called for and sentencing has been scheduled for November 26.

Cantwell was then informed he was disqualified from driving in the interim period with a permanent ban expected next month.

Meanwhile, an Alva woman has been told she may be locked up after being charged with driving while more than five times the limit.

The 44-year-old is accused of dangerous driving, of failing to provide a breath specimen and providing a breath-alcohol reading of 118mcg.

The incident is said to have taken place on the A91 between Menstrie and Alva on December 16 last year.

She is alleged to have swerved from side to side across the carriageway before coming close to hitting an oncoming bus.

While outside her home address she is accused of failing to provide a preliminary breath test, before her reading was eventually taken.

She denied the charge when she appeared for a pre-trial hearing on Monday.

Sheriff Shead repelled a defence submission to adjourn the trial date set down for today (Wednesday).

In his discussion with the accused’s defence agent, he remarked upon the seriousness of the charge and the possibility of custody as a disposal if she is found guilty.

A number of other people appeared for drink-driving charges on Monday, with a Tullibody woman accused of being behind the wheel at almost five times over the limit.

The 38-year-old is accused of driving along Craigrie Road, Clackmannan, on 18 July with a reading of 104mcg.

She also faces additional charges of failing to provide a specimen of breath and of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting, swearing and uttering threats.

The accused denies the charges and is to appear for trial on November 3 A Dollar woman also appeared charged with drink-driving near her home on West Burnside earlier this year.

The 57-year-old is alleged to have had a reading of 97mcg while driving without a licence and without insurance on August 9.

She maintained her plea of not guilty ahead of her trial on November 3.

Finally, another Dollar woman had also been due to appear this week on a drink-driving charge.

The 60-year-old is accused of driving on Station Road, near to her home, with a reading of 67mcg on March 3.

Her case was due to call this week but the accused was not present, citing medical difficulties.

A further intermediate diet will be held next month to assess her suitability to stand trial.