Christie McDonald, 24, pleaded guilty to drink-driving at Armidale Local Court on Monday.

Defence solicitor Benjamin Graham told the court that McDonald was persuaded to drink beyond her limits by a publican she “got along well with”, before things turned sour.

“Ms McDonald found herself in a foreign culture and kept drinking because the pub manager she was with persuaded her to stay and drink,” he said.

McDonald had been in Australia just 23 days before she was caught drink-driving, after she drove a car through a pane of glass on June 8.

Magistrate Michael Holmes said culture shock was no excuse for putting other drivers at risk.

“What do you mean foreign culture?” he said.

“Scotland is a place of drinking, it’s full of drunken Scots.”

A group of men that were present at the pub allegedly became sexually aggressive with McDonald, who, fearing for her safety, fled the pub and locked herself in a car around the corner before making the decision to drive home.

Defence solicitor Ben Graham said McDonald was determined to recover her “Australian experience”.

“She was driving slowly, and she was willing to comply with police,” he said.

McDonald, who is now staying with family friends in Guyra, is completing the Traffic Offenders Course that will finish in August.

Magistrate Michael Holmes said it was a shame that the incident happened.

“I can understand you [McDonald] being afraid, but it really depends on the hotel and clientele,” he said.

“You are a person of good character, but these are serious matters.

“Try to have a good holiday without getting yourself into strife.”

McDonald was convicted of drink-driving, fined $1500 and disqualified from driving for three years.

She was placed on a good behaviour bond for nine months.