Ex-head of police standards banned for drink-driving

Det Supt Paul Kessell, seen here giving a previous TV interview, "smelled strongly of alcohol" the court previously heard

The former head of a police force's professional standards department has been banned from driving after "swerving all over the road" while drink-driving.

Paul Kessell resigned as a detective superintendent at Dorset Police after pleading guilty to driving while three times the legal limit at Southampton Magistrates' Court in September.

The 45-year-old from Stoborough, Dorset, was subsequently found guilty of gross misconduct by the force, which said he would have been dismissed if he had not already resigned.

He admitted drink driving along the A352 at Wool, near Wareham, on 4 August and has now been banned from driving for 25 months.

Kessell was stopped on the night of the incident and gave a breath test, with a reading of 115 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

He has also been given a 12-month community order to complete 120 hours of unpaid work and a 12-month mental health treatment requirement.

He was also ordered to pay £85 in costs and a victim surcharge.

Prosecuting, David Finney, said Kessell was arrested after members of the public alerted police to his driving.

He said: "There were several calls from members of the public about standards of driving, swerving all over the road, almost going into a hedge at one point."

David Hurley, defending, said his client had been suffering mental health difficulties.

He explained: "He was suffering from PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) and he was self-medicating through the use of alcohol.

"This was committed when he was driving past Dorset Police headquarters, which triggered flashbacks, he bought alcohol and consumed it before driving.

"It was the most stupid mistake of his life because of the effects not only on him, but his family."

Mr Hurley said his client had sought mental health support.

Sentencing, District Judge Anthony Callaway said he had read references for Kessell, including one from the chief constable, which "spoke very highly" of him.

He added: "I note the devastating consequences this matter has had for you, your family and your career."

He said Kessell had also expressed "how deeply ashamed and saddened" he was by his behaviour.