Police officer who wrote Savile report banned from driving
A senior officer who wrote a report into a force's links with Jimmy Savile, has been banned from driving for a year after admitting a drink-drive offence.
Det Ch Supt David Knopwood was nearly twice the legal alcohol limit when he was stopped by North Yorkshire Police in Knaresborough on 28 April.
At Harrogate Magistrates' Court, he admitted failing to provide a specimen of breath and was also fined £1,000.
The 48-year-old was described in court as being genuinely remorseful.
His Operation Newgreen report found "no evidence" Savile was protected from arrest due to his ties with the force.
'Hanging in the balance'
In court, Knopwood was also ordered to pay £185 in costs and was told his driving ban would be reduced by 12 weeks if went on drink-drive awareness course.
Melanie Ibbotson, prosecuting, said he drank two pints and then provided a roadside reading of 60 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.
The detective refused to breath test after he was arrested and taken to a police station, the court heard.
He told officers he wanted to be taken to hospital because he was not feeling well after banging his head in the police van.
John Dye, defending, said Knopwood had stopped at a pub near his home to unwind, as he often did at the end of the day.
He said the Wakefield-based officer was in a position of great responsibility at the force and was under a lot of stress.
He said Knopwood now faced a police disciplinary board and his job was "hanging in the balance".
"This is genuinely a man who is remorseful," said Mr Dye.