A Metropolitan Police officer, PC Gurbaksh Pattwal, 29, from Hornchurch, has been found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol, with levels more than double the legal limit. The officer was arrested on two separate occasions earlier this year for driving erratically while intoxicated.
PC Pattwal was pulled over in Burntwood Avenue, Hornchurch, where he failed a roadside breathalyser test. A subsequent blood test in custody revealed he had 176 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, more than double the legal limit.
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On July 15, PC Pattwal pleaded guilty to drink driving at Westminster Magistrates’ Court and was sentenced to a three-month community order, including a curfew with electronic tag monitoring. He was also disqualified from driving for 18 months.
In addition to the drunk driving charge, PC Pattwal pleaded guilty to failing to report a road traffic accident. This incident dates back to July 14, 2019, when he lost control of his vehicle in South Street, Romford, and collided with the side of a property. He fled the scene without reporting the accident and was subsequently fined £200.
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A misconduct hearing on September 20 concluded that PC Pattwal would have been dismissed from the Metropolitan Police had he not already left the force. He has also been added to the College of Policing Barred List, effectively barring him from future employment within policing.
This case has raised significant concerns about the behaviour of serving officers and the impact of drink driving on public safety.
