A LAST-MINUTE bid to withdraw a plea of guilty to a dangerous driving charge was rejected by a sheriff last week.
Khady Anderson was due to be sentenced for the offence at Alloa Sheriff Court on Thursday, January 23.
The 32-year-old drove her car "inappropriately close" to the vehicle in front, before attempting an overtake on the A977 between Blairingone and Forestmill on December 16 last year.
That resulted in the driver of an oncoming vehicle taking evasive action, and Anderson then swerved and smashed into a kerb.
She continued to drive her car even though a tyre was ripped off in the collision.
When Anderson appeared in court last week, her solicitor said she "didn't appreciate the consequences" of admitting to dangerous driving when the guilty plea was tendered.
The defence agent went on to state Anderson was originally from Senegal, and her first language was Wolof.
She then learned French, so English was her third language.
Because of that, he said she couldn't distinguish between "dangerous" and "careless" driving – which are two separate offences.
But Sheriff Craig Harris noted Anderson was in court without the support of an interpreter, and that she originally tendered her plea after taking legal advice.
He then outlined the plea could only be withdrawn in exceptional circumstances, and said Anderson's case did not present any.
On that basis, her bid was refused, and sentencing deferred for reports.
Anderson, of Old Mugdock Road, Strathblane, will return to court on February 20.
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