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Kate Murray disqualified from driving for 12 months after busted over three times the limit

A drunk driver with a successful personal training business has no memory of driving before being found by police in “undignified circumstances” after a boozy night out.

Police call drink drivers "selfish pricks"

A personal trainer has no memory of driving 8km while over three times the prescribed alcohol limit, before passing out at the wheel.

Kate Emma Murray, 35, was found by police in “quite undignified circumstances”, after a boozy night out at the Alma.

Supplied Editorial Fwd: Kate Murray was convicted of drink driving. Photo: Facebook
Supplied Editorial Fwd: Kate Murray was convicted of drink driving. Photo: Facebook

A police prosecutor told the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday that police were advised there was a woman who was passed out at the wheel on April 18 at Broadview.

They attended and found the engine was still running.

“Police observed the defendant in the driver’s seat, slumped forward over the steering wheel, the defendant smelt strongly of liquor,” the police prosecutor said.

Murray was breathalysed and returned a reading of 0.151.

“The defendant states that before police located her she assumed she came from the Alma but could not remember,” the police prosecutor said.

Murray, of Hope Valley, pleaded guilty in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday to driving under the influence.

Michael Jandy, for Murray, told the court Murray had driven to the Alma but had no intention of driving home as she had consumed a large amount of alcohol.

“She actually has a suspicion that her drink might have been spiked during the course of the night … she absolutely has no memory of driving the vehicle at all and it’s never happened to her before,” Mr Jandy said.

The court heard Murray drove approximately 8km before stopping her car on the side of the road.

“She was found by police in quite undignified circumstances,” Mr Jandy said.

The court heard Murray has been working as a personal trainer for the past nine years.

“She operates her own personal training business, it’s successful … my client has about 60 clients,” Mr Jandy said.

“She’s here to take responsibility today and she’s quite ashamed.”

Magistrate Chris Smolicz said it was lucky no-one was hurt during the incident.

“That could have potentially put members of the public at risk, clearly you were extremely affected by alcohol,” he said.

“I’m sure you’ve learnt from this lesson and you won’t do this again.”

Mr Smolicz fined Murray $1100 and disqualified her from driving for 12-months, backdated to April 18.

A conviction was recorded.

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-sa/kate-murray-disqualified-from-driving-for-12-months-after-busted-driving-over-three-times-the-limit/news-story/7d4c61e575a09915e8a83f47f4e09f04