Drink-drive Pc faces jail for lying

A police officer was facing a jail term today after he admitted lying under oath to escape a driving ban.

Greater Manchester Pc Myles Hughes, 35, was spared a disqualification when he told a court that he did not know he was over the drink drive limit because a barman had given him the wrong drinks.

His story was backed up by pub worker Paul Doyle, also 35, who claimed he gave Hughes stronger drinks than were ordered.

Both men, from Macclesfield, Cheshire, pleaded guilty to perjury at Chester Crown Court today.

The facts of the case were not opened by the prosecution and sentencing was adjourned until November 14.

Hughes, who is suspended from Greater Manchester Police and is expected to lose his job, had admitted drink driving at Macclesfield Magistrates' Court last November after being arrested the previous April.

He was given a £475 fine and six points on his licence but escaped the driving ban by arguing in a "special reasons" hearing that he could not have known he was over the limit.

Hughes gave evidence to say he only ordered five pints of shandy from Doyle and the barman, also under oath, said he served "lager top" drinks instead.

Following today's guilty pleas at Chester Crown Court, Judge Elgan Edwards granted bail to both defendants but warned them it was no indication of the sentence they may receive.

"This is a very serious matter," the judge said.

PA