PC is sacked for drink-driving

A POLICEMAN was sacked after being caught behind the wheel three times over the blood-alcohol limit – while his force campaigned against drink-driving.

Lee Kirk was one of 116 drivers prosecuted after a joint Christmas operation between Cleveland Police and the Durham Constabulary.

The 42-year- old was pulled over by his colleagues less than half a mile from his home in Stockton-on-Tees, North Yorkshire, on December 17.

He tested positive for having 100mg of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, almost three times the 35mg limit. PC Kirk stood accused of breaching professional standards by ‘discreditable conduct’ at a private hearing at Cleveland Police HQ after he was banned from driving for 18 months and fined £430 by magistrates in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, last month.

The force has now announced his dismissal. Temporary Chief Constable Simon Nickless said: ‘The police service expects officers to uphold the highest standards of professional behaviour.’