WPC Caught Drink-Driving During Midnight Ciggie Run

A drink-driving policewoman was caught after she cut-up an unmarked police car during a midnight dash to buy cigarettes.

When the two officers tried to pull over Sian Coles, 34, she collided with a parked car, ripping off its wing mirror and damaging her own vehicle.

The Lambeth Borough PC, of Seward Road, Beckenham, pleaded guilty today to driving her Toyota Yaris in Elmers End Road on December 6 with 73 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

Bromley Magistrates Court heard she was just over twice the limit and she was fined £600 and disqualified for eighteen months.

She confessed to drinking two large glasses of wine minutes before to deal with the stress of an assault case against her, of which she was ultimately acquitted two days later.

Prosecutor Miss Sophie Akister told the court it was 11.45pm when plain-clothed officers in an unmarked police car spotted Coles behind the wheel.

“They noticed she failed to look at a junction and pulled out into a main road into the path of the officers, causing them to stop sharply.

“They put on their blue lights, but the Yaris speeded up so they put on their siren, which seemed to make the vehicle slow down.

“As the Yaris slowed it collided with a parked car, taking the wing mirror off.”

When questioned at the roadside Coles said: “Yes, I think I clipped it. I know what happens, I’m a copper.”

Ms Alister added: “There was a long scratch running along her passenger-side door and the wheel arch and she said she had a drink and was going to see her boyfriend in Croydon.

“She said she had two large glasses of wine before leaving home two minutes before.”

Coles failed the roadside breath-test and was taken to Bromley Police Station. “She said she was embarrassed and was sorry to everyone and was tearful.”

Her lawyer Kevin Baumber told the court: “The circumstances are extraordinary and tragic and came at a time when Ms Cole was under considerable stress.

“There was an incident several months before, when in the course of her duty, dealing with a breach of the peace and in pushing away that suspect she was facing trial for common assault.

“Fortunately there was a body-worn camera, which showed the incident she was dealing with.”

Coles was found not guilty of assault after a trial at City of London Magistrates Court on December 8.

“She was coping badly, if coping at all and there was a falling out with her partner.

“She was a single-mum before and she is a single-mum again.

“The camel’s back was broken by that straw,” added Mr. Baumber. “She went out to get cigarettes and the distance was very short.”

The court heard a counsellor has assessed Coles’ anxiety at 21/21 and her depression at 25/27.

“She is in counselling in relation to the stress and strain of the trial she was facing.

“It is tragic for her, facing the fear of losing a dearly beloved career, by doing something when her judgement was impaired.

“Her career is in jeopardy. This case will have a considerable effect on her.”

Coles, who is currently on restrictive duties, was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.