Police officer charged with drink-driving

Police said James Smoothy, a British Transport Police officer based at Gatwick Airport, was arrested in Copthorne Common Road, Copthorne, at 2.30am on Tuesday, December 15.

The 26-year-old was charged with having 98 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath in his system, the legal limit is 35 officers added.

He is due to appear at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on January 8.

Richard May, 65, retired, of Bishopric, Horsham, was arrested at Crawley Police Station on December 11.

He was charged with failing to provide a specimen for analysis and is due to appear at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on January 7.

Amy Downes, a sales assistant, of Highwood Crescent, Horsham, was arrested in Worthing Road, Southwater, on December 12.

The 25-year-old was charged with having 78mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in her system.

She is due to appear before Crawley Magistrates’ Court on January 15.

Juliet Adsett, 34, a youth worker, of Field End, Storrington, was arrested on the A27 at Beddingham on December 12.

She was charged with having 96mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in her system and is due to appear at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on January 11.

More than 100 motorists have been arrested in Sussex since the Christmas 2015 crackdown on drink and drug-driving was launched on December 1.

Of these 100, 50 have been charged, police said.

People in Sussex can text officers on 65999 with the details of people they suspect of drink or drug driving or visit www.operationcrackdown.co.uk

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 (http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/).

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