West Midlands Police crash investigator fined after admitting drink-drive charge

Pc Chris Blount was stopped on November 6 on the Black Country Route after patrolling officers spotted him 'struggling to control' his Vauxhall Mokka at 2.30am.

Pc Blount, who was a member of the collision investigation unit but now faces losing his job and his home, was first seen standing outside the car apparently looking at damage.

The officers looked back moments later and saw the car travelling slowly and spotted 'substantial damage'.

After seeing the driver was struggling to control the car, the officers pulled Pc Blount over, recognising him as a colleague.

His speech was slurred and he was unsteady on his fleet and officers could smell alcohol.

Today he admitted one count of drink-driving. He is said to have given a reading of 101mg per 100ml in a breathalyser - nearly three times the limit.

City magistrates fined him £1,425 and disqualified him from driving for two years.

Today his defence solicitor, Mr Adrian Keeling, said Pc Blount had been suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and had been suffering the effects of stress from his job.

Pc Blount was of exemplary character and had no effective recollection of what happened.

He added Pc Blount was divorced and had been living in police accomodation.

"As a result of this offence he will be unemployed and homeless," Mr Keeping said.

"On top of that he has lost his good name.

"He will very much feel public shame having been convicted."

Chair of the bench, Susan Carrick, said the level of alcohol recorded was an aggravating feature.

"Not only that but there was a poor standard of driving observed by police prior to you being stopped.

"What you did is really against all the principles of your profession.

"People look to police to adhere with the law and to set standards."

Blount, 49, of Rowan Road, Sedgley, had been a member of the force's Regional Collision Investigation Unit.

His role with the unit has seen him speak at numerous inquests and court cases around driving offences and saw him take a leading role in the force's annual crackdown on festive drink-driving.

West Midlands Police said this afternoon the officer was off work for an extended period, and would now face disciplinary proceedings.

Spokesman Lee Page said: "The ultimate sanction he could face is dismissal from the force."