Shame of drink-drive policeman

A senior policeman quit rather than bring ‘shame and ignominy’ on the force after his arrest for drink-driving.

Supt Paul Brookes’s decision to take early retirement cost him a lump sum of £100,000, his counsel told a court.

Magistrates in Manchester heard that 56-year-old Brookes was spotted in his car veering about the road on his way home at 1am.

Brookes, of Ashton Road, Failsworth, admitted driving with three times the permitted level of alcohol in his blood and was fined £500 with £60 costs and banned from driving for two years.

The bench were handed a folder of glowing testimonials and ‘highly sensitive’ work he had been doing in London.

But court chairman Pauline Salisbury told Brookes: “We have heard of your genuine remorse and superb police record and your huge financial loss, but you of all people should have known better after having so much to drink — it could have had very serious consequences.”

Richard Vardon, defending, said Brookes, an ex-fireman, accepted there was no justification for the way he had behaved.

While working in London he drank more than he should have done over a period of 24 hours. After returning to Manchester on the train he had failed to observe the obvious and decided to drive.

Mr Vardon added: “He has retired rather than have the shame and ignominy brought on the force at a massive financial cost to himself. This will have an enormous and devastating affect on himself and his family.”