A British Transport Police officer based at Gatwick has been convicted of drink-driving.

26 year-old James Smoothy crashed his white BMW after losing control and clipping Copthorne Roundabout the early hours of December 15th.

He had consumed a number of glasses of wine at a Christmas Party, got involved in an argument and left the venue in his car.

Smoothy co-operated fully with inquiries and pleaded guilty at Crawley Magistrates Court.  He has been disqualified from driving for 2 years; ordered to pay a £400 fine, £85 costs and a £40 victim surcharge.

Smoothy has since resigned from his position at the British Transport Police.