A police superintendent has appeared in court and pleaded guilty to a drink driving offence.
Detective Superintendent Paul Kessell, aged 45, appeared at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Friday 13 September 2024 and pleaded guilty to driving while over the prescribed legal alcohol limit. He is due to be sentenced on Tuesday 5 November 2024.
At around 4pm on Sunday 4 August 2024, Dorset Police received a phone call from a member of the public reporting that a car was being driven erratically along the A352 in Wool.
Officers attended the area, located the vehicle and requested for it to stop. Detective Superintendent Kessell was breathalysed at the scene and was transported to custody.
He gave a breath test and was found to have 115 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.
The officer was not on duty at the time and has been suspended from duty. Following the outcome of this hearing, the matter will now be subject to formal misconduct proceedings.
Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Farrell, of Dorset Police, said: “The public should quite rightly have confidence that police officers and staff strive to always maintain the highest standards of professionalism and integrity and that, when these standards fall below expectations, swift and robust action is taken.
“Unfortunately, we see all too often the devastating consequences of people driving while under the influence of alcohol and we make no exceptions when a member of Dorset Police is found to have been drink driving.
“Intelligence from the public is invaluable in keeping Dorset’s roads safe. If you suspect someone of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, dial 999 immediately with the vehicle information and direction of travel.”
