Police officer admits drink-driving

A Whangarei police officer, responsible for training new recruits, was found driving with nearly double the legal alcohol limit in his system, a court was told.

Senior Constable Ross Kneebone, 53, pleaded guilty in Whangarei District Court this week to drink driving, the Northern Advocate reported.

Kneebone was stopped at a checkpoint in Whangarei on September 30 last year, and found to have an alcohol level of 733 micrograms per litre of breath.

The legal limit is 400mcg.

Judge Duncan Harvey adjourned the hearing until today so an application for discharge without conviction could he heard.

Police have opposed the application.

Northland police acting District Commander Chris Scahill confirmed Kneebone was still a member of the police force but was on restricted duties while the matter was before the court.

- NZPA