On February 17 2025, Lewis Goddard was on his way to start a shift at Stainbeck Police Station when he arrived in his personal vehicle seemingly under the influence of alcohol, York Magistrates Court was told.
Concerned colleagues carried out a roadside-style screening breath test, which returned a positive result, the court heard.
Goddard, 32, was arrested at the scene and taken into custody, where further evidential breath tests showed a lowest reading of 72 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath – more than double the legal limit of 35 micrograms.
Concerned colleagues carried out a roadside-style screening breath test, which returned a positive result, the court heard.
Goddard, 32, was arrested at the scene and taken into custody, where further evidential breath tests showed a lowest reading of 72 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath – more than double the legal limit of 35 micrograms.
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NewsTranscript
00:00Hello, I'm Rachel Grealish from the Yorkshire Post. Today I have the latest from York Magistrates Court where a Leeds police officer has admitted to drink driving after turning up to work over the legal limit.
00:13Lewis Goddard, 32, drove to Steinbeck Police Station on February 17th this year for his afternoon shift.
00:20Colleagues noticed he may be under the influence of alcohol and carried out a breath test which was positive.
00:25He was arrested and further tests showed that he was more than twice the legal limit.
00:31Goddard from Cleck Eaton pleaded guilty on Wednesday, April 16th.
00:36The court heard he had suffered a severe panic attack that morning and drank alcohol at home to help him calm his nerves.
00:44His solicitor described a background of serious work-related trauma including exposure to violent incidents and multiple on-duty assaults.
00:52He has since been suspended from the force and is receiving counselling.
00:58The Magistrates fined him, disqualified him from driving and offered him a place on a drink driving rehabilitation course.
01:06That's all for now. For more court and crime news from across the region visit yorkshirepost.co.uk.
01:13Have a great day now. Bye.
01:15Bye.