The former head of a police force’s professional standards department has been banned from driving for “swerving all over the road” while drink-driving.

Paul Kessell resigned as a detective superintendent at Dorset Police after pleading guilty to driving three times the legal limit at Southampton Magistrates’ Court in September.

45-year-old from Stoborough, Dorset later found guilty of gross misconduct By the power that already said that if he had not resigned, he would have been dismissed.

Admitted drink driving on the A352 at Wool, near Wareham, on August 4 and was banned from driving for 25 months.

Kessell was stopped on the night of the incident and took a breath test, with a reading of 115 micrograms of alcohol in 100 milliliters of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

He was also given a 12-month community order and a 12-month mental health treatment requirement to complete 120 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay £85 in costs and a victim surcharge.

Prosecutor David Finney said Kessell was arrested after members of the public alerted police to his driving.

He said: “There were a lot of calls for public driving standards, swerving all over the road, almost going into a fence at one point.”

David Hurley, defending, said his client was suffering from mental health problems.

He explained: “He suffered from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and was self-medicating with alcohol.

“This incident occurred while he was driving past Dorset Constabulary, which triggered flashbacks, he purchased alcohol and consumed it before driving away.

“This was the stupidest mistake of his life as it affected not only him but also his family.”

Mr Hurley said his client was seeking mental health support.

Sentencing, District Judge Anthony Callaway said he had read references to Kessell, including one from the chief constable who spoke “highly highly” of him.

He added: “I recognize the devastating consequences this matter has for you, your family and your career.”

He said he also expressed “how embarrassed and upset he was” by Kessell’s behavior.