Drink drive sergeant forced to quit

A SERGEANT has been forced to quit his job with Suffolk police after he was caught drink driving just yards from the force headquarters in Martlesham.

Michael Drew, an officer for 15 years, was suspended from duty until a disciplinary hearing was held last week and yesterday a spokeswoman for Suffolk police said: ''He has been required to resign forthwith.''

Drew was based at Woodbridge police station and he was off duty when he decided to drive his Mazda MX5 on a Sunday evening in February.

The 41-year-old of Francis Close, Kesgrave, had enjoyed an evening out with friends at the Black Tiles pub in Martlesham.

When he left the pub a police officer in an unmarked car noticed his car driving closely to another car in front when Drew approached a roundabout on the A1214 leading to Ipswich and the officer decided to follow.

Magistrates in Ipswich were told in February that the officer considered that Drew was driving too close and he decided to stop the car at the bus stop just past force headquarters.

Macaulay Neil, prosecuting, said the defendant volunteered he had been drinking and a breath test was performed.

A further specimen was given at Ipswich police station which gave a reading of 61 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit is 35mcg. He admitted drink driving.

Nigel Innis, representing Drew, said the sergeant was a man of previous good character. He had gone to the pub with the aim of only having a couple of drinks with friends.

But more friends had arrived and Drew, who had not eaten a great deal, decided to have more drinks. He had felt able to drive.

Drew was banned from driving for 16 months and he was ordered to pay a £400 fine and £34 costs. He was told that his ban could be reduced by four months if he completed a drink driving rehabilitation scheme.

Suffolk Police Federation has warned that chief constables were taking a tough stance with officers caught drinking and driving.