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Former chief constable of Fife Constabulary Norma Graham guilty of crash Former chief constable of Fife Constabulary Norma Graham guilty of crash
(about 1 hour later)
Scotland's first female chief constable has been fined £400 and given seven penalty points after being found guilty of careless driving.Scotland's first female chief constable has been fined £400 and given seven penalty points after being found guilty of careless driving.
Norma Graham, 50, who retired from Fife Constabulary in August, had denied causing a collision on the B922 near Glenrothes in February 2012.Norma Graham, 50, who retired from Fife Constabulary in August, had denied causing a collision on the B922 near Glenrothes in February 2012.
The crash left the other driver with a broken collarbone and injured knee.The crash left the other driver with a broken collarbone and injured knee.
Following a two-day trial, the court rejected Graham's claim that there had been a fault with her Audi Quattro car.Following a two-day trial, the court rejected Graham's claim that there had been a fault with her Audi Quattro car.
Sheriff Grant McCulloch said: "I do not accept the accused's evidence that her car would not let her steer to the left. No deficiencies were found. Either she was not braking hard enough or her speed was such that hard braking would not be sufficient.Sheriff Grant McCulloch said: "I do not accept the accused's evidence that her car would not let her steer to the left. No deficiencies were found. Either she was not braking hard enough or her speed was such that hard braking would not be sufficient.
"The force of the impact showed that her driving did fall below that of a careful and considerate driver.""The force of the impact showed that her driving did fall below that of a careful and considerate driver."
Her driving licence already has three points.Her driving licence already has three points.
'Incredible collision' Broken collarbone
Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court heard how Graham veered on to the wrong side of the road and her Audi Quattro crashed into a Renault Clio, being driven by 25 year old Hannah Shedden, writing off the Clio and leaving Miss Shedden with a broken collarbone and injured knee.Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court heard how Graham veered on to the wrong side of the road and her Audi Quattro crashed into a Renault Clio, being driven by 25 year old Hannah Shedden, writing off the Clio and leaving Miss Shedden with a broken collarbone and injured knee.
Witnesses described an "incredible collision", which left smoke billowing from both cars.Witnesses described an "incredible collision", which left smoke billowing from both cars.
Graham, in evidence, claimed her car had "locked itself into position" and defied her best attempts to steer it to safety.Graham, in evidence, claimed her car had "locked itself into position" and defied her best attempts to steer it to safety.
She said she had been doing no more than 45mph.She said she had been doing no more than 45mph.
"It felt to me like the vehicle pulled to the left. I was on a right bend, and I tried to correct that. Then the car seemed to shoot off onto the other side of the road. There was nothing I could have done at the time."It felt to me like the vehicle pulled to the left. I was on a right bend, and I tried to correct that. Then the car seemed to shoot off onto the other side of the road. There was nothing I could have done at the time.
"I have to say that if I had any doubt that I, or anyone, could have prevented this, then I would not have brought myself into this, or put my family and colleagues through this, or wasted court time, unless I was sure I had done everything I could in the circumstances.""I have to say that if I had any doubt that I, or anyone, could have prevented this, then I would not have brought myself into this, or put my family and colleagues through this, or wasted court time, unless I was sure I had done everything I could in the circumstances."
Miss Shedden, a physiotherapist, who was on her way to work in Falkirk, said: "I saw a car heading towards me so I hit my brakes.Miss Shedden, a physiotherapist, who was on her way to work in Falkirk, said: "I saw a car heading towards me so I hit my brakes.
"The car was on my side of the road and it was heading straight towards me.""The car was on my side of the road and it was heading straight towards me."
She spent three days in hospital, required surgery on her knee, and had to take four months off work to recover.She spent three days in hospital, required surgery on her knee, and had to take four months off work to recover.