A LOLLIPOP lady who was drunk on duty was yesterday put on probation for a year.

Linda McLaughlin, 51, admitted that she had drunk several glasses of wine at lunchtime before returning to the crossing outside Kinross Primary School, Perthshire.

Perth Sheriff Court was told that McLaughlin was staggering and her speech was slurred when children began leaving the 580-pupil school last June.

One parent contacted the headmaster while another phoned the police.

Nicola Gillespie, for the prosecution, said: “She seemed unsteady on her feet and appeared to be stumbling. At 3.10pm the police got an anonymous call advising them to have a look at the lollipop lady as they thought she was drunk.

“The police noted that she was unsteady on her feet. There was a strong smell of alcohol and her speech was slurred.”

McLaughlin told officers she had not been drinking but after failing a breath test said: “I agree with you. Fair enough.”

Jamie Baxter, for the defence, said that McLaughlin, who had been the lollipop lady at the school for 23 years, deeply regretted what she had done. He added that she had suffered a series of personal tragedies and had been depressed because she was going through the menopause.

Sheriff Michael Fraser told McLaughlin: “You must appreciate this is a serious matter. Fortunately no accident happened but people are entitled to expect you not to carry out your duties while you are under the influence of alcohol.”

McLaughlin admitted a charge of culpably and recklessly carrying out the duties of a school crossing patroller.

She also pleaded guilty to failing to give a breath specimen when she was stopped by police while driving last March.

McLaughlin was fined £400 and given a two-year ban for drink-driving.

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