Yahoo News Boozy Mini-driving cop stopped TWICE swerving in roads by fellow officers before being breath tested
A boozy Mini-driving cop was stopped TWICE by her colleagues for "swerving" around the A689 and then the A19 - before being breath tested.
Andrea Murphy-King, 48, from Stockton, was spotted in a green Mini Cooper driving on the A689, before she mounted a kerb at a roundabout and swerved in a lane on the A19. Officers pulled her over and she explained away her "poor driving" by saying she had been using her phone, denying consuming any alcohol.
The Crown Prosecution Service said the police officers gave her "advice" on this. Cleveland Police confirmed she was "issued with a ticket for summons in relation to the use of a mobile phone while driving".
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Murphy-King carried on her journey and was watched swerving along the dual carriageway in the 73 plate BMW Mini, indicating prematurely, and was pulled over for a second time by colleagues.
This time she was breathalysed which flagged a result of 89 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. She was then taken into custody where an evidential breath test showed she had 71 microgrammes of booze in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 microgrammes.
Murphy-King appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court on Monday morning. She pleaded guilty to a charge of driving while above the legal alcohol limit.
A district judge banned her from driving for 17 months, fined her £750 and ordered her to pay a victim surcharge of £300 and costs of £85. She was also offered the drink driving rehabilitation course.
A Cleveland Police spokesperson confirmed Murphy-King is suspended and that she will be subject to a "gross misconduct hearing". They said: "This case was investigated by an independent force, as such is the case in these circumstances. The officer remains suspended and will be subject to a Gross Misconduct Hearing in the near future.
“It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time. However, for clarity, when Cleveland Police officers initially stopped the vehicle, they issued the officer with a ticket for summons in relation to the use of a mobile phone while driving.”
Details of the offence
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) provided details of the offence to Teesside Live with a statement reading: "On Monday, November 4, 2024, police were on mobile patrol when they sight a Green Mini Cooper driven by the defendant along the A689. The defendant mounted the kerb prior to going around the roundabout and was swerving within her lane.
"The defendant proceeded to drive onto the A19, swerving within her lane. Police activate blue lights and the defendant stops her vehicle shortly afterwards.
"When Mrs Murphy-King was spoken to by the police, she said she had been using her phone and this explained her poor driving. She denied consuming alcohol. She was given advice from police regarding this and was allowed to continue driving.
"The defendant continued to drive poorly including swerving in her lane and indicating prematurely. The defendant was then pulled over by police again where she was breathalysed returning a result of 89. The defendant was then transported to custody and gave an evidential reading of 71 in breath. She has no previous convictions."
Cop's crime comes after campaign
Murphy King's crime, described in the court charge as taking place in Billingham, happened on November 4 this year. It comes six months after Cleveland Police held its month-long Fatal Four campaign, in April - the fatal four being:
using a mobile phone while driving,
driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs,
speeding,
not wearing a seatbelt.
During the campaign, 22 drivers were found to be using a mobile phone whilst driving, 50 drivers were found to be under the influence of alcohol, 71 drivers were found to be under the influence of drugs, 50 drivers were found to be under the influence of alcohol, 743 drivers were found to be speeding and 16 people were found not wearing a seatbelt – including two children under the age of 14.
Court hearing
Murphy-King was initially listed on the court system as being set to appear at Peterlee Magistrates' Court at 9.30am on Monday morning - despite the crime happening in Billingham, which is Teesside Magistrates' Court's jurisdiction.
However, at 10.06am on Monday, Teesside Live was notified in an email from Peterlee Magistrates' Court that the case had been switched to Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court, a 35 minute-drive away. The late change of venue meant Teesside Live's reporter waiting at Peterlee was unable to hear an outline of the police officer's offence and any mitigation from her legal team.
A court official apologised "for any inconvenience caused" but said that "very late last week" it was allocated to a Local District Judge sitting in Newton Aycliffe and apologised for the "late notification" in the change of venue. A spokeswoman for the Judicial Press Office said: "Journalists should confirm with courts whether a particular case is going to be listed that day."
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