A WOMAN who was caught with a wrap of heroin whilst behind the wheel has been fined - after failing to comply with a previous punishment. 

Audrey Maher previously pleaded guilty at Dumbarton Sheriff Court to three driving offences and the drug possession charge.

The 38-year-old drove a car on Kilbowie Road, near Singer Train Station, on December 3 last year without a valid licence or insurance policy.

She was in charge of the vehicle whilst unfit to drive through drink or drugs and admitted to having heroin in her possession whilst behind the wheel.

Maher, of Meldrum Street, committed all of these offences whilst on bail from Glasgow Sheriff Court on September 22, 2020.

We previously reported that Sheriff William Gallacher sentenced her in May to a structured deferred sentence.

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When she appeared for her review of the order at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on July 25, her lawyer Stephen Maguire explained to the court that she isn't coping well with it.

He said: "It is not going entirely well. She has missed appointments and she struggles with her finances.

"This is a situation where a structured deferred sentence is not benefitting her or the community by extension.

"Custody was not in the mind of the court and it possibly still isn't."

Sheriff Seith Ireland said: "I am not convinced a community payback order will have an impact on her. She is old enough and wise enough to find her own future."

The sheriff disqualified Maher for two years.

She was also fined £400 which she was allowed to pay back at £40 per month.

Addressing Maher, the sheriff added: "I take the view that there is nothing to be gained by calling for [social work] reports. You can either take help or you don't.

"I don't think courts enforcement is going to make a difference and you are now of an age where you really have to make your own choices."