A former criminal prosecutor who helped ensure "Britain's worst drink driver", John Williamson, received a driving ban of "nine lifetimes plus 109 years", has abandoned her claim for unfair dismissal and disability discrimination after she was fired for - yes, you've guessed it - drink driving.
Anne Hart, 39, crashed into a parked car in Dundee in July last year with such force that it actually flipped onto its side. Apparently she collided with the vehicle while "trying to light a cigarette". She fractured her sternum and right arm as a result of the incident, which occurred just months after she was cleared of being 'drunk in charge' of a vehicle... despite the police finding her slumped at the wheel almost three times over the prescribed drink driving limit.
Following the July crash, Ms Hart was banned from driving for 18 months and dismissed from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. In mitigation, she told the court her "alcohol intake had become problematic" following her mother's death and the break-up of her marriage, and that she is now receiving treatment.
She subsequently filed a claim for unfair dismissal and disability discrimination and was due to appear before an employment tribunal this week. But she has now abandoned her case. She has refused to comment on the reasons, but it is known that she has found a new job working at Dundee-based solicitors Caird & Vaughan.
** Additional information & advice **
If you've been charged with a drink driving offence, you need to consider your position very carefully as the penalties can be severe. In every case, you are strongly advised to seek legal advice. To find a quality-assured local solicitor who specialises in representing drink driving defendants, you may want to use a referral service like Contact Law.
