Bristol Airport firefighter banned for drink driving
17.06.08
A firefighter from Winscombe who also works as a full-time crew commander and a senior fire and safety instructor at Bristol Airport is under investigation after he attended an emergency call-out while under the influence of alcohol, the Western & Sommerset Mercury reports.
Mark Phillips, aged 46, was arrested by officers after he attended the incident on April 26. During the operation, a colleague reported that Mr Phillips had alcohol on his breath and police arrested the father-of-two at Winscombe Fire Station in Sandford Road. A test revealed he had 59 micrograms of alcohol in his breath.
The court heard that he admitted his guilt at the earliest opportunity. He pleaded guilty before magistrates at North Somerset Courthouse in St Georges to being over the legal alcohol limit during a two-and-half minute drive from his home to the fire station.
Mr Phillips has been a retained firefighter for 25 years and works full-time crew commander and a senior fire and safety instructor at Bristol Airport. He has been awarded a Queen's medal for long service and good conduct.
The former soldier has been banned from driving for 16 months, which will be reduced to a period of one year on completion of a drink-driving rehabilitation programme. He was ordered by magistrates to pay a £500 fine, £15 victim surcharge and £60 costs.
An airport spokesman told the newspaper: ‘This will not affect his job status.’ An Avon Fire and Rescue spokesman said: ‘This matter is currently under investigation and it would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this stage.
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