Former police superintendent sentenced for drink driving offence
A former police superintendent has received a 25-month driving ban for a drink driving offence.
After pleading guilty to driving while over the prescribed legal alcohol limit at Southampton Magistrates’ Court in September, former Detective Superintendent Paul Kessell, aged 45, was sentenced at the same court on Tuesday 5 November 2024 at the same court. He was also given a 12-month community order to complete 120 hours unpaid work, is required to complete 12-month mental health treatment and was ordered to pay £85 in costs.
At around 4pm on Sunday 4 August 2024, Dorset Police received a phone call from a member of the public reporting that a car was being driven erratically along the A352 in Wool. Officers attended the area, located the vehicle and requested for it to stop.
Former Detective Superintendent Kessell was breathalysed at the scene and was transported to custody. He gave a breath test and was found to have 115 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.
The officer was not on duty at the time and was subsequently suspended from duty. Following the court hearing in September, he resigned from the Force.
An accelerated misconduct hearing was held at Dorset Police headquarters in Winfrith on Wednesday 23 October 2024 to consider an allegation that former Detective Superintendent Paul Kessell breached the appropriate standards of behaviour in respect of discreditable conduct.
He was found guilty of gross misconduct and would have been dismissed from the Force had he not already resigned. He was also placed on the barred list.
Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Farrell, of Dorset Police, said: “The public should quite rightly have confidence that police officers and staff – whether they are on or off duty – strive to always maintain the highest standards of professionalism and integrity and that, when these standards fall below expectations, swift and robust action is taken.
“We fully recognise the devastating consequences that can arise from people driving while under the influence of alcohol and remain committed to identifying and taking action against anyone who is found to be intoxicated while driving.
“Intelligence from the public is invaluable in keeping Dorset’s roads safe. If you suspect someone of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, dial 999 immediately with the vehicle information and direction of travel.”
