Police officer who flipped car while driving drunk charged with gross misconduct

A former West Yorkshire Police officer who was caught drink driving after his car hit a wall and fell around 30 feet has been charged with gross misconduct.
By Nathan Hyde
Published 14th Jan 2022, 13:31 BST

Benjamin Sweeney was breathalysed after his Audi A4 was found on its roof by Oldham Road, Ripponden on May 28 last year.

He was taken to hospital, where a blood test confirmed he was over the limit, and was then charged with driving a motor vehicle whilst over the prescribed limit.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He pleaded guilty to the charge and was convicted at Leeds Magistrates Court on July 22.

Benjamin Sweeney was breathalysed after his Audi A4 was found on its roof by Oldham Road, Ripponden, on May 28 last year.Benjamin Sweeney was breathalysed after his Audi A4 was found on its roof by Oldham Road, Ripponden, on May 28 last year.
Benjamin Sweeney was breathalysed after his Audi A4 was found on its roof by Oldham Road, Ripponden, on May 28 last year.

Mr Sweeney’s actions will be examined by a three-person panel at a misconduct hearing, which is due to begin at 10am on January 20.

In a statement, WestYorkshire Police said: “The Audi A4 left the road having collided with a wall, resulting in the vehicle falling approximately 20-30 feet before coming to rest on its roof.”

It added: “Due to the nature of the incident he was transported to hospital where a sample of blood was taken for analysis to provide an evidential reading.

Read More
Tourist who died while swimming off Runswick Bay had heart problems, inquest rev...
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“This was examined and contained 108 milligrams of alcohol within 100 millilitres of blood. This being over the legal limit of 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.”

At the last misconduct hearing held by West Yorkshire Police, an officer who said “chill out or I’ll choke you out” as he struggled to make an arrest in Halifax was cleared of gross misconduct.

Police constable Graham Kanes said he regretted making the comment while he held Hassan Ahmed’s neck during the incident, which was captured on video in August 2020, but the force he used was found to be lawful during the misconduct hearing in November last year.