Tragic Scots lawyer Kay McFarlane found dead at home just hours before she was due for sentencing for drink-driving
A LAWYER has been found dead just hours before she was set to learn her punishment for drink driving.
Scot Kay McFarlane, 34, had admitted to being more than five times the drink-drive limit – expected to be sentenced yesterday.
But Crown Office officials were told before the hearing that the young lawyer – director of Ayr’s Mair Mathieson Solicitors – had tragically been found dead at her home on Wednesday.
Tributes have today been paid to the “talented” solicitor as friends were left reeling with shock at her death.
One pal wrote on social media: “Last night we lost an extremely popular, talented, fun, beautiful, vivacious young lady at just 35 years old.
“RIP Kay McFarlane, God rest your soul.”
Kay had been due at the town’s Sheriff Court yesterday after admitting driving carelessly outside Crosshouse Hospital while five times the limit.
The lawyer had scraped her car along railings while trying to drive round a roundabout last July – causing £6000 worth of damage to her own motor.
The court was told another driver had to do an emergency stop to avoid a smash.
A blood sample taken at the police station showed she had 279 milligrams of alcohol in 100ml of blood.
Kay pleaded guilty to drink-driving and careless driving at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last month.
YOU'RE NOT ALONE
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, , 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,
- Mind, , 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus,, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, , 116 123
Her defence solicitor Simon Brown told the court how she was an alcoholic and her problems started after her father’s death.
He added she had taken “significant steps” to get sober after treatment last year but had relapsed at the time of the offence.
Kay sought help from her doctor and her driving licence was revoked due to her alcoholism.
She spent time at a detox facility in Irvine.
She had taken “significant steps” to get sober after treatment last year but had relapsed.
Sentence was deferred until yesterday for a social work report, with the Sheriff saying he was concerned about the alcohol reading.
Kay may have been facing up to a year in prison, and was also being assessed on suitability for an electronic tag to be fitted.
A Crown Office spokesman said: “The Procurator Fiscal has received a report in connection with the death of a 34-year-old woman in Ayr on 19 February 2020.
“The investigation into the death, under the direction of Scottish Fatalities Investigation Unit (SFIU), is ongoing and the family will continue to be kept updated in relation to any significant developments.”
Mair Matheson Solicitors declined to comment.
- IF you are having suicidal thoughts, suffering from anxiety or depression or just want to talk, call The Samaritans on 116 123.