AN EMPLOYMENT hopeful attended an interview for a support staff role with police, well over the legal drink drive limit.

The external applicant, Andrew Jackson, aged 48, aroused suspicion when one of the two GMP interviewers could smell something on his breath that resembled alcohol.

After the interview, a traffic officer was called for and Jackson, of Barlow Moor Road, Didsbury, was breathalysed, with results showing he was over the legal drive limit.

After being charged with drink-driving, he pleaded guilty to being in control of a vehicle while over the legal driving limit and was disqualified from holding a driving licence for one year.

The GMP interviewer, who was interviewing for the IT management position at Sedgley Park, Prestwich, on January 25, said: “I asked if he had any trouble in finding us and as soon as he began to speak I could smell something on his breath which I was thought was stale alcohol.

“He mentioned that he did have a little trouble in finding somewhere to park, which immediately raised concerns.

“Shortly after he arrived in the small office, the smell of alcohol became overpowering.

“I decided to continue with the interview, which lasted for about an hour, but throughout the whole time I was sure that the candidate smelt strongly of drink and was considering what to do next.”

At the end of the interview the GMP employee made an excuse to leave the room and sought advice from a police officer on what to do next, where a traffic officer was called for.

After he admitted to drinking a bottle of wine with his wife the night before, the traffic officer escorted him out of the building to a nearby patrol car where he was breathalysed and found to be over the legal drink drive limit.

Jackson was then taken to Bury Police Station and tested again for his alcohol level. Once the reading was confirmed, he was charged with drink driving.

He pleaded guilty to being in control of a vehicle while over the legal drink driving limit, on February 10, at ury and Rochdale Magistrates' Court. 

He was disqualified from holding a driving licence for one year, to be reduced to seven months if successfully completing a drink-driving awareness course within in a given time, and was also handed fines totalling £235.

Inspector Tony Allt said: “This case highlights the fact that there are a number of motorists who think they are fine to drive after drinking the night before.

“There are a number of factors that can determine how alcohol is absorbed and processed in the body, but for the individual in this case to give a reading of 46 micrograms, remembering that the legal limit is 35, clearly shows that a significant amount of drink must have been consumed the previous evening.

“If in doubt of your alcohol level, seek alternative travel arrangements. Never drive while over the limit and risk losing your licence, livelihood or possibly your or someone else’s life.”