A drink-driving police officer crashed into a wall – after drinking alcohol at a party.

PC Shantell Woodward, 37, was on her way home from a ‘social function’ on the evening of May 21 when she crashed her Ford Fiesta into a wall on Peachcroft Road, Abingdon.

Tests at the police station after the crash showed she had 83mcgs of alcohol in 100ml of breath, more than twice the legal limit of 35mcgs.

She was subsequently fined £600 by Oxford magistrates and banned from driving for a year-and-a-half.

Thames Valley Police said former Cowley police station-based Ms Woodward, who resigned from the force today (July 26), now faced an accelerated misconduct hearing.

She is alleged to have breached the standards of professional behaviour that apply to all police officers in that her decision to drive drunk amounts to discreditable conduct.

“If proven, this will amount to gross misconduct for which dismissal would be justified had she not already resigned from the force,” Thames Valley Police said.

The misconduct hearing will take place at police headquarters in Kidlington on August 1. It will be chaired by Chief Constable John Campbell.

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This story was written by Tom Seaward. He joined the team in 2021 as Oxfordshire's court and crime reporter.  

To get in touch with him email: Tom.Seaward@newsquest.co.uk

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