Highland railway platform supervisor was drunk at work

An Inverness railway platform supervisor who turned up for work drunk was placed on a structured deferred sentence by a Sheriff yesterday.

Scotrail worker Catherine Macgregor (49) of Jordan House, Leopold Street in Nairn was convicted last month of being on duty on April 14 last year at the station with 95mcgs of alcohol per 100mls of breath - more than twice the legal drink drive limit.

The charge added that she was a person involved with the control of and affected the movement of trains and the supervision of passengers using the rail network.

Macgregor had lodged a special defence that she had not started her duties when she arrived for work and that she had no direct control over the movement of the trains

At her trial, Sheriff Margaret Neilson, who found her guilty after two days of evidence, heard Macgregor had been drinking into the early hours of April 14.

Macgregor’s team leader Adam Faniak ,(27), told the court he saw Macgregor get off a train from Nairn ready to start work wearing her uniform.

He said he spoke to her on her arrival and by her movements and speech and the smell of alcohol from her breath he knew she was under the influence of alcohol.

He said he spoke to her for about ten minutes and because of his concerns he phoned his coordinator.

"I have been involved in many situations when you have to be very careful despatching (trains). You have to have your eyes open at all times," said Mr Faniak.

The Sheriff heard Macgregor had lost her job as a result of the incident.

Sentence had been deferred for reports.

Defence solicitor John McColl said Macgregor never denied that she was under the influence of alcohol on the day in question. "The defence," he said, "was of a technical nature."

Macgregor was now no longer working and was living on a limited income.

He said she had a previous conviction for drink driving but denied having difficulties with alcohol.

"Her explanation is she suffered significant upset as a result of an abusive relationship. The report stated this was not a pre planned offence and she is unlikely to be a risk of causing harm to others.

"She went off the rails and is very sorry for the problems she has caused in turning up for work under the influence of alcohol."

Sheriff Neilson heard that Macgregor was now receiving support for her difficulties.

The sheriff placed Macgregor on a structured deferred sentence for four months.

A supplementary social work report will be prepared for July 17 .

Sheriff Neilson warned Macgregor. "You must engage and comply with your social workers. All sentencing options remain open to me."

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