London - A candidate for a job with the police has been banned from driving – after turning up for the interview drunk.
Andrew Jackson, 48, was hoping to take an IT management position with Greater Manchester Police.
But as soon as he began to answer questions, the interviewer noticed the smell of stale alcohol on his breath. The incident happened at a police office in Prestwich on January 25.
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.
"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 worker made an excuse to leave the room and asked for advice. A traffic officer was called for and Jackson denied he had been drinking before the interview, but said he had shared a bottle of wine with his wife the night before.
He was then breathalysed by the officer and the results showed he was driving over the limit. He was taken to Bury police station for further tests and later charged with drink driving.
Jackson, of Didsbury, appeared at Bury and Rochdale Magistrate’s Court on February 10 and admitted driving while above the legal limit. He was disqualified from driving for a year, which will be reduced to seven months if he successfully completes a drink-driving awareness course. He was also ordered to pay fines totalling £235 (about R3 800).
Not only that, but he didn’t get the job...