Motorist handed ban after drink-driving to job interview with police force

A motorist has been disqualified from driving after he turned up to a job interview with Greater Manchester Police while "well over" the drink-drive limit.

The force said the unnamed man in his 50s "immediately raised concerns" after staff at its Sedgley Park office smelled stale alcohol on his breath ahead of the interview for an IT management position.

Following the interview, the candidate was breathalysed and found to have 46 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath - above the 35mg limit.

He was charged with drink-driving and later handed a 12-month driving ban at Bury and Rochdale Magistrates' Court.

The interviewer said: "I asked if he had any trouble in finding us, 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."

The interviewer added: "I didn't want the man returning to his vehicle, given the obvious smell of alcohol.

"I couldn't live with myself if there had been a collision and someone ended up seriously hurt."

After the breathalyser test, the candidate told officers he had shared a bottle of wine with his wife the previous night.

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

He said: "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 ... 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."