A Glasgow solicitor was fined £10,000 by her profession's disciplinary body after failing to give police a breath sample when she hit a wall as she parked up on her way to court.

The Scottish Solicitors' Discipline Tribunal found Martha Rafferty guilty of professional misconduct following her conviction for the offence which followed two earlier previous convictions for a similar offence and drink driving.

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The tribunal said they demonstrated a lack of integrity which was likely to bring the profession into disrepute.

It said it was concerned that it was her third conviction on road traffic matters.

"The criminal courts had dealt with her and had regard to her risk to the public."

"The tribunal's concern was the risk to the reputation of the profession," it said.

"It noted that the respondent (Rafferty) was censured for the professional misconduct arising out of the first two convictions.

"The tribunal considered it would not be appropriate simply to censure again."

It added: "The tribunal imposed a fine of £10,000. This is the statutory maximum which the tribunal can impose. The tribunal considered it to be merited in this case."

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Rafferty, 59, was convicted of failing to provide breath specimens to police at Hamilton Sheriff Court in 2018 and was banned from driving for a decade and given a 15 month community payback order for the latest offence.

She struck a wall as she was parking up while on her way to court. Police witnessed the incident and when they spoke to her suspected they could smell alcohol on her breath.

John Scullion QC, counsel for Rafferty, said she had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity to the offence.

He explained she suffered from alcohol dependency but was aware of her problems and had sought help. She felt ashamed and has expressed remorse.

Mr Scullion submitted that the tribunal had to punish her and deter behaviour bringing the profession into disrepute, but also had to support professionals suffering illness and other problems.

The senior counsel invited the tribunal to deal with the case in a way that would allow Rafferty, a consultant with Glasgow law firm Berlow Rahman to retain her practising certificate as a solicitor.