Television presenter Kirsty Gallacher has admitted drink-driving after being caught at more than three times the legal limit. The 41-year-old Sky Sports presenter was arrested in Eton, Berkshire, the day after she had been drinking, Slough magistrates heard.
She was on her way to meet her children to visit Windsor Castle on 12 August when she was seen driving her BMW X4 erratically. Police tracked her down using CCTV. Her alcohol level was found to be 106 micrograms per 100ml of breath, against the legal limit of 35 micrograms.
Gallacher, who is divorced from former rugby union player Paul Sampson, received a two-year driving ban and was ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid community work. She was also ordered to pay £85 in court charges and a separate surcharge of £85.
Jennifer Dempster, mitigating, said Gallacher very rarely drank, and had taken a taxi home before going to collect her car the following morning. She stressed that Gallacher's children had not been in the car at the time. “This is of course the morning after drinking, and it is a topic which is a hot one at present,” Ms Dempster said. “What this defendant did was exactly right until 11:00 BST the next morning.”
Probation officer Jasvir Kaur Bhatti said Gallacher was “very remorseful” and “very much regrets what happened”. District Judge Davinder Lachhar described the charge as “very serious” and the alcohol level as “very high”.
The defendant, of Virginia Water, Surrey, appeared in court wearing black and spoke only to confirm her name, address and plea. Gallacher, a former Strictly Come Dancing contestant, was told her driving ban could be reduced by six months if she opted to take part in a driving safety course at a later date.
