Kirsty Gallacher blames ‘stress of marriage breakdown’ as she’s banned from driving for two years after being caught three times over the drink-drive limit at 11am on way to pick up her kids
KIRSTY Gallacher has blamed the "stress" of her marriage breakdown for being three times the drink-drive limit when she went to pick up her two sons for a day out.
The Sky Sports presenter today fought back tears as she was banned from driving for two years after admitting driving a vehicle while above the legal limit.
She was arrested on August 12 in Eton, Berks, after cops "smelled alcohol" on her breath on her way to her ex-husband's house.
Slough Magistrates' Court heard how the 41-year-old was going through tough divorce proceedings with Paul Sampson at the time.
The couple, who legally separated in 2015, have sons Oscar, ten, and Jude, seven, together.
Hours before her arrest in Eton, Berks, Gallacher had posted a snap of herself enjoying a night out with pals at the Winning Post pub in nearby Winkfield.
She had also appeared on Sky Sports News alongside Jim White for a 6pm show to preview the start of the football season before her arrest.
Gallacher had sensibly got a taxi home that night and took an Uber to pick up her red car the next morning.
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Around an hour later, she was stopped by police on her way to pick her sons up for a day at Windsor Castle.
Gallacher was seen driving erratically by witnesses, before officers tracked her parked BMW X4 using CCTV and was breathalysed at the side of the road.
Her alcohol level was at 106 microgrammes in 100 millilitres of breath - the drink-drive limit in England and Wales is 35 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath.
The former Strictly Come Dancing contestant pleaded guilty at Slough Magistrates' Court today to one count of driving a motor vehicle while her alcohol level was above the legal limit.
She was banned from driving for two years, ordered to carry out 100 hours of community service and told to pay an £85 fine.
HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH Here's the lowdown on the UK drink driving laws, and the penalties if you go over the legal limit
Gallacher was earlier pictured looking sad as she arrived at court dressed all in black.
Jennifer Dempster, in mitigation, said: ''She is not someone who normally drinks to excess. She is a person of good character.
''This is not intentional drink driving, she was not leaving the pub at midnight and driving home.
''She is horrified she is in this position.
''This is a young lady, it has been a stressful time.
"There are difficulties arising from the breakdown of her marriage, the final hearing for which is next week.''
Jasvir Kaar Bhatti, probation officer, told the court Gallacher didn't realise she was over the limit "until the next day".
He added: "There are divorce proceedings going on at the moment which are stressful. She is very remorseful and apologises."
Her lawyer had called for a financial penalty because despite earning a decent wage, her substantial monthly outgoings would mean a fine would still have a punitive effect.
She added: "There is not a huge amount left over."
Ms Dempster also asked for Gallacher not to be given a community order because of the "media circus" that would follow her.
But Judge Davinder Lachhar dismissed this, saying it didn't "change the sentence".
Miss Ali, prosecuting, said: ''On August 12th at 11am officers received information that a female had been driving a red BMW X4 intoxicated.
''They tracked it with CCTV to locate the female. The car was parked on Eton High Street.
''Officers said she smelt of alcohol. She was given a roadside breath test which she failed.''
District Judge Lachhar described the charges as "very serious".
Sentencing, he added: "I take into account the mitigation of the family proceedings.
"I give you credit for pleading guilty.
''I am going to impose a 12 month community order of 100 hours of unpaid work, you must pay £85 prosecution costs and you are disqualified from driving for two years.''
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