A recent road collision in Hartlepool involving a drink driver has led to the tragic death of a celebrated police dog.
On August 18, 33-year-old Brian McLoughlin pleaded guilty to drink driving at Teesside Magistrates’ Court, having been apprehended by an officer with Cleveland Police on July 17.
The officer’s vehicle had collided with McLoughlin’s car on Stockton Lane, Hartlepool while responding to an emergency call. One of the two dogs in the vehicle, PD Bert, suffered serious injuries and later had to be put to sleep. The other dog was unharmed, and the police officer suffered only minor injuries.
Pleading guilty to drink driving, McLoughlin was ordered to pay £168. He has been disqualified from driving for a period of 16 months, which could be reduced by 16 weeks if he completes a rehabilitation course. The police officer has been handed a fine and penalty points for driving without due care and attention.
PD Bert, a 5-year-old Springer Spaniel, was an active sniffer dog with Cleveland Police, and was trained to locate cash, drugs and firearms. In one search, he had located a staggering £250,000 of illicit cash, and in 2022 he was one of the dogs deployed at the funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II.
At Auriga Advocates, our solicitors have a good track record for defending all types of driving offences. If you are facing charges for drink driving or careless driving, solicitors’ advice and support can be crucial in achieving a better outcome for you and your loved ones. Contact us soon, so we can talk about your case and advise you on how best to proceed.