A senior detective and former Kirklees crime manager has been banned from driving and fined for failing to agree to a breath test.

Det Chief Supt David Knopwood, 48, of West Yorkshire Police, was stopped by officers after he had consumed two pints of lager on the evening of April 28, the same day teacher Ann Maguire was knifed to death in Leeds.

Harrogate Magistrates’ Court heard that Knopwood failed a roadside breath test in Knaresborough but prosecutor Melanie Ibbotson told the court the detective had been uncooperative once he was taken to a police station.

The bench heard that he told officers he wanted to be taken to hospital because he was not feeling well after banging his head in the police van.

Knopwood, who wrote West Yorkshire Police’s report into the force’s links with Jimmy Savile, then refused to give a second breath sample.

He was taken to hospital but did not require any treatment.

Knopwood, who has been a police officer for 24 years, is head of protective services (crime) at West Yorkshire Police - the division that is responsible for all major criminal investigations in the force.

Appearing in court in a dark blue suit, blue shirt and blue tie, did not comment as he left with his wife. His job is now hanging in the balance.

Det Chief Supt Andy Brennan, head of professional standards, said: “West Yorkshire Police expects the very highest standards of its officers and staff, both on and off duty.

“This case clearly demonstrates the serious consequences when someone falls below that standard.

“Following today’s hearing we will quickly move to conclude the disciplinary process.”

Outlining the case earlier, Ms Ibbotson said the defendant was stopped after he was spotted driving extremely slowly on Stockwell Lane, Knaresborough, just after 11pm.

His roadside breath reading of 60 microgrammes per 100 millilitres was almost double the legal limit of 35.

John Dye, defending, said his client had stopped at a pub near his home to unwind, as he often did at the end of the day.

Mr Dye said Knopwood was “surprised and shocked” when he realised he had failed the roadside test.

Mr Dye asked the three magistrates on the bench to read a series of testimonials regarding his client which, he said, spoke of him in “glowing terms”.

Mr Dye said: “A momentary lapse of judgment is going to have a profound effect on him going forward.”

He said the effect of what he did “is going to be catastrophic”.

Sentencing, chairman of the bench David Gravells said failure to provide a specimen was a “serious matter”.

He also ordered Knopwood to pay a £1,000 fine plus £85 in costs and agreed that his driving ban would be reduced by 12 weeks if he went on a drink-drive awareness course.

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