Drink-driving police officer, 20, struck off after A500 crash

A drink-driving police officer who was caught after a crash on the A500 [1] in Stoke-on-Trent has been struck off. PC Owen Bourne was behind the wheel of a blue BMW two-series on the D-road when he was involved in a collision on July 30.

A misconduct hearing heard a breath test indicated he was above the drink-drive limit. A further blood test revealed a reading of 128 milligrams in 100 millilitres of blood against a legal limit is 80 milligrams

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On October 21, the 20-year-old, from Alsager, [2]appeared before North Staffordshire Justice Centre [3]and pleaded guilty to drink-driving and driving without due care and attention.

He was disqualified from driving for 16 months and fined GBP120, with magistrates also ordering him to pay GBP85 court costs and a GBP48. surcharge.

An outcome notice has now been published by Cheshire Police, which says the Crewe-based beat officer would have been dismissed had he not resigned. Advertisement Advertisement

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The misconduct hearing heard that PC Bourne's behaviour in relation to the incident breached the force's standard of professional behaviour in respect of discreditable conduct.

In the decision notice, Chief Constable Mark Roberts ruled that dismissal without notice would have been the most appropriate sanction in this case, had former PC Bourne not previously resigned. As a result, he has been placed on the barred list, which will prevent his re-entry into the profession.

Chf Con Roberts said: "I have read all the information presented to me in the bundle, including former Constable Bourne's letter of resignation dated 6th October 2025.

I note that he was convicted in the Magistrates Court on 21st October 2025 for drink driving and driving without due care and attention. I note former PC Bourne doesn't seek to put forward any mitigation for my consideration.

"Former PC Bournes' conduct is undoubtedly gross misconduct. [He] made the conscious decision to drive his vehicle after consuming alcohol. The level of alcohol in his system exceeded the legal limit.

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"I find his actions were pre-meditated, he and only he made the decision to drive.

His decision making was totally unacceptable and demonstrates a clear lack of insight into the impact his actions could have had.

"I am aware a collision occurred because of his driving, which aggravates his position, and it is by sheer luck that no-one was more seriously injured.

"Such behaviour and decision making are unacceptable in policing and in Cheshire Constabulary and will not be tolerated.

I am disappointed that an officer in this organisation felt this conduct was acceptable.

"Clearly the only appropriate sanction is dismissal without notice had the officer not already resigned and his details will be added to the Barred list."

Get all the latest news from court here [4]

References

^ the A500 (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^ Alsager, (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^ North Staffordshire Justice Centre (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^ Get all the latest news from court here (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)